Tongue (Human Anatomy): Image, Function, Definition, Problems, and More

Published: Oct 07, 2022
Keywords: English

Last Updated: Apr 08, 2023

Tongue Image

Tongue is a muscular organ which is present in the mouth.
The length of the tongue is 3.1 to 3.3 inches.
On the surface of the tongue moist , pink tissues are present which are known as mucosa. Papillae or the taste buds which are thousands of tiny bulges present on the surface of the tongue ,makes the surface of the tongue rough. Taste buds are a group of nerve-like cells which join nerves into the brain.
The mucosal tissue provides support and acts as a base for the tongue. However , the tongue acts as support to Hyoid bone. The base of the tongue which is made up of soft tissue is known as frenum or frenulum.
On the surface of the tongue, there are mostly four types of taste buds present i.e. salty, sour, bitter and sweet . Recently, scientists have discovered the fifth type of taste bud called UMAMI (tastes- glutamate which is present in MSG). These taste buds form a hypothetical network which are called the 'taste maps'. The nerves of taste buds detect and transfer the taste to the brain.

Function Of Tongue

There are many functions of the tongue such as mastication and deglutition of food.
It also helps in speech production.
Tongue keeps the path of air open, which helps in proper breathing.

Tongue Disease

Thrush Candidiasis: Thrush Candidiasis is a common pathological condition that occurs in the mouth caused by Candida albicans ( a variety of yeast). It is a fungal infection . The persons having suppressed immunity and persons taking steroids are prone to this disease.
Oral Cancer: On the surface of the tongue, ulcers that have protruded into view are visible, and their spread is ongoing. Oral cancer is more likely to occur in those who drink alcohol and smoke.
Macroglossia: The expansion of the tongue is known as macroglossia. Congenital macroglossia, traumatic macroglossia, inflammatory macroglossia, malignant macroglossia, and other metabolic causes are just some of the possible explanations for this condition. There are a number of conditions besides thyroid illness, lymphangiomas, and congenital anomalies that can lead to an enlarged tongue. Some of these conditions include:
Geographic Tongue: It is a benign condition in which ridges and colourful spots emerge, and it changes its location in a periodic interval of time, which results to a change of the look and texture of the object. It is a condition in which the tongue appears purple and red at the same time. Even in conditions such as Kawasaki disease, the tongue turns a dark blue and sometimes even black.
Burning Mouth Or Burning Tongue Syndrome: A scorching sensation, scalding, or unusual flavours may be experienced on the tongue as a result of this. It is a disorder that is typically not harmful, but there are situations when it might lead to issues with the nervous system.
Atrophic Glossitis: This condition is often referred to as 'bald tongue.' Usually occur due to deficiency of Vitamin B group or development of anaemia. When this disease is present, the tongue develops a smooth surface. The tongue loses its springy consistency and becomes smooth..
Canker Sores: Apthous ulcers is the common name for this condition. A common, non-contagious disorder in which painful sores the size of pinpricks emerge on the surface of the tongue after a certain amount of time has passed.
Oral Leukoplakia: A condition that does not indicate malignancy in which the surface of the tongue is encircled with white spots that cannot be scraped off.
Hairy tongue: A person's skin as well as their mouth can become infected with this illness, although it is completely harmless. When the skin and the lining of the mouth are attacked by the immune system, this condition is known as oral lichen planus..
Herpes Stomatitis: A tongue that is painful and unusually chilly is one of the symptoms of this illness, which is caused by the herpes virus.
Lichen Planus: A person's skin as well as their mouth can become infected with this illness, although it is completely harmless. When the skin and the lining of the mouth are attacked by the immune system, this condition is known as oral lichen planus.
Tongue Tie (Ankyloglossia): It is a condition in which the movement of tongue becomes difficult . Commonly due to the short length of frenum. Can cause problems like breast feeding and other issues.
Dysgeusia: It is a condition in which you will find the change of taste occurs. Usually occurs due to infection.
Ageusia: A total loss of taste occurs. Usually occurs due to infection.
Numb Tongue: Numbness of tongue occurs due to many reasons like lack of vitamins , minerals , due to development of autoimmune disorder like lupus, due to damage of nerves in dental or tongue piercing. It occurs in allergic conditions also.
Yellow Tongue: The tongue becomes yellow due to bacterial culture on it. Sometimes yellowness of tongue is a pre symptom of diseases like psoriasis and jaundice.
Neuralgia: It is a condition in which pain in mouth as well as tongue occurs. Not only mouth neuralgia can happen anywhere in the body.
Sjögren's Syndrome: It is a disease of the auto-immune system. Symptoms of this condition typically include a burning sensation and a crackling sound on the tongue. It mostly affects glands that produce saliva as well as other glands that produce moisture.
Tongue Trauma: It is a harmless condition that occurs on the tongue. It usually occurs due to biting of tongue or burning of tongue due to hot food.
Angioedema: swelling caused by edoema of the lips, tongue, throat, and other areas, including the larynx. Additionally, it may cause problems with the gastrointestinal tract, such as nausea, vomiting, and abdominal discomfort. In the event that the airway is damaged, it might be life-threatening.
Pierre Robin: It is backward displacement of tongue which causes airway obstruction. It is a genetic syndrome.
Transient Lingual Papillitis: Inflammation of the fungiform papillae is a characteristic symptom of this illness, which is only transitory. It is possible that this is the result of an underlying health issue, such as an infection, stress, or another ailment.
Furrow Tongue: Scrotal tongue is a benign condition of tongue where you find transverse furrow.
Erythroplakia: It is a condition in which the tongue becomes red lesions that can't be rubbed off.
Scarlet Fever: It is the infectious condition in which the tongue appears like strawberry (deep red )
Kawasaki Disease: It is a condition in which the tongue appears deep red. In children below the age of 5 years it is accompanied by high fever.
Syphilis: It is a bacterial condition as well as sexually transmitted disease . It is a dangerous condition in which it shows many symptoms including white tongue.

Tongue Test

Tongue Test Biopsy: Use in identification of Oral Cancer. Process includes checking the tissue from the suspicious area of the tongue.
Flavor Discrimination Test: The evaluation of taste and smell is done here by 4 different sweetners.
Panendoscopy: In this different types of endoscopes are used to find various diseases of the oral cavity.
Exfoliative Cytology: In this process the infected tissue is scraped off and smears it into glass slides. Staining is done to check abnormal areas. If an abnormal area is found then the cell is biopsied.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): Like X-ray , the MRI is used to study the detailed structure of soft tissues.
Positron Emission Tomography (PET): FDG sugar is injected into blood and study of cancerous tissue is done in the tongue.

Tongue Treatment

Tongue Surgery: Both oral cancer and leukaemia are diseases that can only be treated surgically..
Tongue Scraping: A tongue scraping is a straightforward procedure that just requires the tongue. During this process, the papillae that have become enlarged are removed. Additionally effective in removing unwanted hair on the mouth.
Radiotherapy: A hemiglostomy and radiation are both treatments that are offered to the patient who is suffering from cancer.
Frenectomy: Frenectomy is the surgical procedure that is performed to correct conditions such as tongue-tie.
AnteroLateral Thigh Flap: In the event that cancer develops on the tongue, this tissue is utilised for repair of the lateral section of the tongue or the entire tongue (glossectomy).
Rectus Abdominis Flap: Following glossectomy, it is included into the rebuilding of the whole tongue. It relies on a deep inferior epigastric artery as its foundation.
Chemotherapy: When it comes to chemotherapy, the combination of cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil is widely considered to be the most effective option for the treatment of tongue cancer.
Partial Glossectomy: It refers to a medical operation in which a section of the tongue is surgically severed and removed.
HemiGlossectomy: During this treatment, only one side of the tongue is affected; the other side of the tongue is left unaffected after it has been sliced and surgically removed.
Total Glossectomy: During this operation, the patient's tongue is removed surgically in its entirety. The inability to aspirate is a possible side effect of total glossectomy. Because of this, the larynx is also removed during the surgical procedure. The elimination of the larynx eliminates the risk of aspiration, albeit at the expense of the patient's voice. Surgery for reconstruction is necessary following a comprehensive glossectomy.
Radial Forearm Flap: In this type of reconstructive surgery, tissue is removed from the patient's forearm and transplanted onto the patient's tongue or the roof of their mouth.
Fibula Free Flap: In this type of reconstructive surgery, tissues from the fibula (a bone in the lower leg) together with an artery, a vein, and some soft tissue are extracted and transplanted onto the jaw bone. After the tongue has been completely removed, this step is carried out.
Rectus Flap: It is a reconstructive therapy in which tissue is extracted from the belly and transplanted onto the roof of the mouth or the tongue in order to repair damage.

Tongue Medicines

Steroid Gel: It is most commonly utilised in the treatment of conditions such as canker sores. In this process, many medications such as betamethasone, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, etc. are utilised.
Silver Nitrate: Canker sores can be treated with this kind of medication, which also has the added benefit of speeding up the healing process of the tongue and reducing the associated pain. This medication is commonly sold under the brand name Silverexionic.
Anaesthetic: Lidocaine in a viscous form acts as a local anaesthetic. This gel is applied directly to the tongue in order to provide instant pain relief. Nevertheless, this alleviation of discomfort is just short. Lidocaine is most commonly referred to by its brand name, xylocaine..
Antifungal: These pharmaceuticals are employed in the treatment of conditions similar to Candida albicans. Both Swiss and spit mouth washes, in addition to tablets, are utilised in this process.
Vitamin Supplements: Lack of the vitamins in the B group has been linked to the development of mouth ulcers. In order to address this illness, vitamin B pills are typically taken.
Anti-seizure Medications or Antidepressants: Neuralgia is one of the conditions that may be treated with a medication cocktail consisting of antidepressants and anticonvulsants.
Steroid: Conditions such as Sjogren's Syndrome can be treated with a combination of hydroxychloroquine and steroids, as well as other medications.
Antibiotics: In order to effectively treat illnesses such as scarlet fever and other bacterial infections that might affect the tongue, antibiotics are an absolute need. Amoxicillin is the antibiotic that is used the most frequently.
Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs: Ibuprofen and naproxen are two medications that could be helpful for tongue discomfort.
Antacids: Acidity can be neutralised with the help of this category of pharmaceuticals. Additionally, it gives comfort for a painful and stinging tongue.