Structure of Tongue

Table of Contents

The tongue is a small, flexible, muscular organ in our mouth. It is enveloped in a pink, wet tissue known as the mucosa.

The rough texture of the tongue is attributed to papillae, which are small bumps. Papillae are groups of nerve-like cells. These cells are connected to nerves. The nerves carry signals to the brain.

On the surface of the papillae, there are taste buds. There are thousands of taste buds on each papilla. The tongue is a muscle that helps us talk, taste food, and digest it with enzymes. Let us discuss going further, the structure and role of the tongue in our body.

How is The Tongue Attached To The Mouth?

The tongue is attached to the mouth by webs of tissue and mucosa. This tissue is known as Frenulum, which anchors the tongue to the mouth.

Lift your tongue and look in the mirror. You will see a small fold of skin. This fold attaches the tongue to the floor of the mouth. The tongue is attached to the hyoid bone at the back of the mouth.

It helps in the movement of the tongue, and moves in many directions, like up, down, and side to side. Food is pushed down the throat during swallowing, words are formed during speech, and chewing all depend on this movement.

What is The Structure Of Tongue?

The tongue is 10 cm in length and is attached to the mouth with the help of a frenulum. The muscular organ is responsible for speaking, swallowing, and mixing food with the release of enzymes in the mouth. Mentioned below are the parts of the mouth discussed briefly.

The tongue’s tip, or apex, is the most movable portion.
The dorsal surface of the tongue is rough.
Taste buds and lingual papillae are present on the tongue.
It is attached to the mouth cavity and has a smooth ventral surface on the floor.

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Surface or Papillae

This is the apex of the tongue and has papillae over it. Papillae come in several varieties.

Fungiform, filiform, circumvallate, and foliate papillae are a few of them.
Taste buds are stored in papillae.
Taste buds assist in identifying umami, sweet, salty, sour, and bitter flavors.
The tongue has a smooth underside.
Through a tissue strip known as the frenulum, it is attached to the floor of the mouth.

Nerves and Blood Supply

The tongue has many blood vessels and nerves. These blood vessels supply blood to the tongue.

It is responsible for sending signals to the brain.
Nerves in the tongue help us taste and feel textures.
These nerves also help us move our tongues when speaking and eating.
The nerves send information to the brain.

Taste buds

They are special structures known as bumps on the tongue. They help in tasting and detecting different flavors in the mouth.

Taste buds detect chemicals that are dissolved in saliva.
These chemicals come from food and other objects.
The taste buds send this sensory information through neurons.
Then, these neurons carry the information to the gustatory center of the brain.

Taste buds are located in the epithelium of the tongue. They are embedded in this layer of tissue.

What Are The Parts Of The Tongue Taste?

Taste buds or taste receptor cells are capable of detecting five basic tastes. The tongue’s taste buds are responsible for identifying each flavor. An overview of each taste is provided below.

Sweet

The taste of sweetness comes from carbohydrates like sucrose and fructose.
It also comes from artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame and saccharin.
The tip of the tongue is where sweet tastes are mainly sensed.

Salty

The salty taste comes from salts with sodium ions.
Examples include sodium chloride (table salt) and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda).
Salts with potassium, lithium, and other alkali metals also create a mild salty flavor.

Sour

It is created by using an acidic compound named vinegar and citric acid.
Generally, an indication that food is not fully ripe or has gone bad.
Sour flavors are generally detected on the side of the tongue.

Bitter

This taste is often linked to compounds in vegetables, coffee, and some medicines.
It can indicate that something might be toxic or spoiled.
Because of this, we usually find bitter flavors less enjoyable.
Bitter tastes are mainly felt at the back of the tongue.

Umami

It is a savory taste linked to amino acids, especially glutamate.
You can find umami in foods like meats, cheeses, and soy sauce.
It enhances the overall flavor of food items and dishes.
Umami can be detected all over the tongue but is especially noticeable at the back.

What Are The Functions Of The Tongue?

Discussed above was the structure and parts of the tongue. Now, we will discuss the functions of the tongue to understand it better.

The tongue has taste buds present over it, which helps us detect the taste of different foods.
It helps us in speaking by moving in various directions and shapes.
The tongue also helps in the mastication of food, by mixing it with saliva and making it ready for swallowing.
Additionally, the organ secretes serous fluid and mucus to keep the mouth moist.
By directing food particles and detritus towards the teeth and out of the mouth, the tongue aids in oral hygiene.

FAQs on Structure of Tongue

What is the tongue made of?

The tongue is a small, flexible, muscular organ in our mouth. It is enveloped in a pink, wet tissue known as the mucosa. It has extrinsic muscles that move it in different directions and intrinsic muscles that change its shape. There are little lumps called papillae all over the surface.

What is the frenulum?

Webs of mucosa and tissue hold the tongue to the mouth. The tongue is attached to the mouth by a tissue called the frenulum. It permits movement and helps maintain the tongue's position.

What are the salivary glands present in our mouth?

There are three primary salivary glands in the human body. The parotid glands, which are situated close to the ears, are the first. The second group consists of the glands located beneath the mandible. The sublingual glands, which are situated beneath the tongue, are the third. Saliva is produced by these glands. Chewing, swallowing, and initiating digestion are all aided by saliva.

What is the dorsum of the tongue?

The tongue's upper surface is known as the dorsum. It has papillae covering it, and taste buds are mostly found there.

What shape is a tongue?

The tongue is generally a flat, flexible, and muscular organ with a slightly curved or oval shape.

What are the layers of the tongue?

The tongue has three main layers: the mucous membrane on top, muscle in the middle, and connective tissue at the base.

Structure of Tongue – Important Parts and Functions