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The tongue is an amazing organ found inside the human mouth that functions in a wide variety of ways. It is an essential part of the digestive and respiratory systems responsible for communicating, tasting, chewing and swallowing. It is a muscular organ made up of tiny muscles known as muscle fibers. It is also the strongest muscle in the body, capable of exerting a force of up to 0.25 kg.

Structure of the tongue

The tongue is composed of four muscle groups, which connect the tongue to the hyoid bone in our necks. It is covered with papillae, finger-like projections that are responsible for taste sensation. Tiny projections called microvilli on the tongue’s surface contain taste receptor cells that help us differentiate between different flavors.

Functions of the tongue

The tongue has various functions in the human body. Some of them are:

• Taste Sensation: The tongue is responsible for our sense of taste. It interprets different flavors and sends messages to our brain about what we are eating, helping us decide if food is good or bad.
• Speech: The tongue is essential in the formation of sounds that enable us to speak. Movements of the tongue in the mouth form different shapes to create sound.
• Chewing and Swallowing: The tongue moves food around the mouth, grinding and breaking it into small pieces. The tongue initiates swallowing by pushing the bolus, a small rounded mass of food, towards the back of the mouth.
• Cleaning: The tongue’s rough surface helps remove food particles and bacteria from the mouth and teeth, keeping our oral hygiene in check.
• Respiration: The tongue helps in breathing by contracting and relaxing muscles to control the air passing through the trachea.

The tongue’s role in our body is irreplaceable. It is one of the most versatile organs with numerous functions that make life easier for us. It also serves as an indicator of our overall health as it is highly sensitive to changes in our diet or lifestyle. So, it’s important to take care of our tongues and keep them healthy.