The primary function of the tongue in mammals is to provide a mechanism for taste. The muscles of the tongue are a complex array of interdigitating fibers, responsible for the tongue's almost limitless array of movements, sizes and shapes. As a muscle it is also important as a means of creating the negative pressure necessary for infants to suckle, an exclusively mammalian activity. The tongue also functions as an accessory organ for chewing, swallowing, grooming and cleaning (producing antibiotics that protect the mouth and open wounds an animal might clean with its tongue). In humans, the tongue is extremely important because it enables spoken language. This organ is a mass of interwoven, striated muscle tissue interspersed with glands and fat and covered with a mucous membrane. The top surface contains numerous projections of the mucous membrane called papillae, which contain taste buds. Taste buds are located in different areas of the tongue but are generally found around the edges. They are sensitive to five main tastes: bitter, sour, salty, sweet, and umami (the taste associated with mono-sodium glutamate, or MSG).Changes in appearance of the tongue may indicate a primary tongue disorder or may be a symptom of other disorders. The tongue is composed of a ventral and a dorsal surface. The ventral surface of the tongue is continuous with the floor of the mouth and is covered by non-keratinizing stratified squamous epithelium. The dorsal surface of the tongue is highly specialized and is covered by keratinizing stratified squamous epithelium. The dorsal surface is also divided into and anterior and posterior portions. The appearance of the tongue is often an indication of body health; a pinkish-red color is normal. In impairment of the digestion and in certain feverish diseases, a yellowish coating forms. Local infection of the tongue is called thrush . Thrush is.
infection caused by the fungus Candida albicans, manifested by white, slightly raised patches on the mucous membrane of the tongue, mouth, and throat.
