Find out what your tongue is telling you and when you should see your doctor or dentist. The tongue is a muscular organ in the mouth of a typical tetrapod It manipulates food for chewing and swallowing as part of the digestive process, and is the primary organ of taste The tongue's upper surface (dorsum) is covered by taste buds housed in numerous lingual papillae. Tongue problems may include a tongue that’s painful, enlarged or swollen, oddly textured or an unusual color, like white, yellow, brown or black Infection, inflammation and conditions you’re born with or develop later in life can all cause symptoms affecting your tongue.
The tongue is a muscular organ that lies within the mouth and partly extends into the upper throat The functions of the tongue include eating, tasting, swallowing, speech, and even breathing Changes in the appearance of your tongue could indicate an underlying issue. The tongue is a unique organ located in the oral cavity that not only facilitates perception of gustatory stimuli but also plays important roles in mastication and deglutition Additionally, the tongue is an integral component of the speech pathway, as it helps with articulation. The motor innervation to the intrinsic muscles of the tongue is via the hypoglossal nerve (cn xii).
In some animals (e.g., frogs) it is elongated and adapted to capturing insect prey. The tongue comprises muscles, connective tissue, and a soft covering called a mucous membrane This part of the tongue is crucial because it helps you talk, swallow food, and sense different tastes. Find out about different tongue problems, and read about their causes, signs & symptoms, diagnosis, and treatments. The tongue exam can reflect a number of underlying diagnoses such as infections, nutritional deficiencies, malignancy and even neurological dysfunction.
OPEN
