Question

Write a note on the structure of the tongue.

Answer 1

Tongue:

It is a mouth-covered muscular organ with a wet, pink tissue known as the mucosa.

Structure of tongue:

1. The human tongue is about 3.3 inches long in males and about 3.1 inches in females.
2. It comprises three parts tip, body, and base.
3. The anterior part of the tongue is called the oral (pre-sulcal) part, including the root, which is attached to the oral cavity floor.
4. The posterior part is the pharyngeal (post-sulcal) portion, including the base of the oropharynx ventral wall.
5. The tongue is composed of epithelium, muscles, and glands.
6. The epithelium has taste buds, and papillae allow the taste buds to learn flavor.
7. They are lined with squamous epithelial tissue having a broad base.
8. The tongue muscles are voluntary and have cross-striated muscle fibers.