Lecture on The Human Tongue: Functions and Myths

Introduction

• The human tongue is an impressive organ with many talents and functions.
• Some surprising functions and myths about the tongue will be discussed.
• The lecture involves examining a real human tongue using cadavers.

Anatomy of the Tongue

• Tongue Composition: Primarily muscle tissue covered with a mucous membrane.
• Functions due to components:
  • Muscle capabilities.
  • Mucous membrane makeup.

Muscles of the Tongue

• Tongue Muscles Categories:
  • Extrinsic Tongue Muscles: Originate outside the tongue and attach to bones.
    • Functions: Help move the tongue in various directions (e.g., speech, manipulating food, licking, and French kissing).
    • Main Extrinsic Muscles:
      • Genioglossus: Protrudes the tongue, originates from the chin bone.
      • Hyoglossus: Retracts the tongue, originates from the hyoid bone.
      • Other muscles include palatoglossus and styloglossus.
  • Intrinsic Tongue Muscles: Originate and stay within the tongue; make up the meat of the tongue.
    • Functions: Change the size and shape of the tongue (e.g., rolling the tongue, speaking, swallowing).
    • Fiber Orientations: Superior and inferior longitudinal, vertical, and transverse.

Myths About the Tongue

• Rolling the Tongue: Not purely genetic; can be learned with practice.
• Strongest Muscle: Tongue is not the strongest muscle in the human body despite its active participation in movements.

Mucosal Lining of the Tongue

• Functions of the Mucosal Lining:
  • Immunity: Lingual tonsils filter pathogens.
  • Sensation: Touch, texture, pressure, temperature, and pain.
  • Glands: Secrete mucus and lingual lipase to begin fat digestion.

Taste Functionality

• Papillae Types:
  • Filiform Papillae: Increase friction, aid in food manipulation.
  • Fungiform Papillae: Contain taste buds, appear as red dots from tiny blood vessels.
  • Vallate Papillae: Contains numerous taste buds (100-300), form an inverted V shape.
• Age and Taste: Sensitivity to taste diminishes with age.
• Non-tongue Taste Receptors: Found on the soft palate, throat, and epiglottis.
• Myth of the Tongue Map: Taste modalities (salt, sweet, bitter, etc.) are not confined to specific areas but are evenly distributed across the tongue.

Conclusion

• Acknowledgment: Gratefulness for those who donate their bodies for science.
• Call to Action: Encourage feedback, comments, likes, and subscriptions.