Anatomy and Functions of the Tongue

Anatomy of the Tongue

The tongue is a muscular organ in the mouth, covered with a moist, pink tissue called mucosa. It is located in the oral cavity and is divided into three parts: the tip, body, and base. The tongue is embryologically divided into the anterior and posterior parts, with the oral or pre-sulcal section being the anterior region and the pharyngeal or postsulcal section being the posterior region. The tongue is attached to the floor of the mouth by strong tissue webs and the hyoid bone, which is located in the middle of the neck.

Structure of the Tongue

The tongue consists of several components, including:

• Epithelium: This layer includes taste buds and papillae, which give the tongue its rough texture.
• Lymphatic tissue: Prominent at the posterior part of the tongue, lymphatic tissue is responsible for the immune system's response in the area.
• Nerves: The glossopharyngeal nerve and the chorda tympanic branch of the facial nerve are responsible for transmitting sensations of pain, touch, and temperature. The tongue has many nerves that help detect and transmit taste signals to the brain.

Functions of the Tongue

The tongue plays a crucial role in various functions, including:

1. Mastication: The tongue helps in chewing food, reducing its size and mixing it with saliva to facilitate digestion.
2. Deglutition: The tongue helps in swallowing food by manipulating it and pushing it towards the stomach.
3. Taste: The tongue transmits taste signals to the brain, allowing us to sense different flavors. The taste buds on the dorsal surface of the tongue can detect four common tastes: sweet, sour, bitter, and salty.
4. Speech: The tongue is an essential organ for speaking and forming words clearly, as it helps in shaping the sounds produced during speech.
5. Breathing: The tongue plays a role in breathing by keeping the airway open and facilitating the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Tongue Conditions

Several conditions can affect the tongue, including:

• Thrush (candidiasis): A yeast infection that grows on the surface of the mouth and tongue, often occurring in people taking steroids or with suppressed immune systems.
• Oral cancer: A growth or ulcer that appears on the tongue, more common in people who smoke and/or drink alcohol heavily.
• Macroglossia (big tongue): A condition characterized by an abnormally large tongue, which can be associated with trauma, inflammatory conditions, or certain health issues.