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Tongue
Gray's Anatomy (1918) plate, public domain
The tongue is a muscular organ anchored to the floor of the mouth, the jaw and the hyoid bone. It moves food around for chewing, shapes the bolus for swallowing, forms the sounds of speech and carries most of the taste buds. Its upper surface is covered with small projections (papillae) that give it texture; the taste buds sit in and around them. Eight pairs of muscles let it move in almost any direction.
Key facts
- The tongue is one of the most flexible structures in the body, able to protrude, curl and sweep the mouth clean.
- Taste buds detect sweet, salt, sour, bitter and umami (savoury) across its surface.
- Its colour and coating give clinicians clues about hydration, anaemia and general health.
- The tongue helps keep the upper airway open during sleep; it falls back when muscle tone drops.
What can go wrong
Tongue problems include a painful or smooth inflamed tongue (glossitis) from vitamin deficiencies such as B12 or iron, infections like thrush coating its surface, and lumps or ulcers that persist — which warrant examination. A tongue that is large or falls back during sleep contributes to snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea. Tongue-tie in babies (a tight band beneath it) can affect feeding.
Related conditions
Related procedures & tests
Related symptoms
Related muscles
Frequently asked questions
Does the tongue have a taste map?
The classic tongue map is a myth: all regions detect all five basic tastes, though sensitivity varies slightly from place to place.
Why is the tongue so strong for its size?
It is a muscular hydrostat — like an elephant's trunk — made almost entirely of interlaced muscle fibres that contract against their own volume.
Educational information only. This atlas explains normal anatomy and describes conditions in general terms; it is not medical advice and does not replace assessment by a qualified clinician. If you have symptoms that worry you, seek medical care.
