Tongue

Definition

The tongue is a muscular organ located in the mouth, essential for various functions including taste, swallowing, and speech. It is highly flexible and covered with taste buds that detect flavors.

Related terms

Taste buds: Specialized sensory organs on the tongue's surface that are responsible for detecting sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami flavors.

Saliva: A digestive fluid produced by salivary glands in the mouth that aids in digestion and keeps the mouth moist.

Pharynx:

A muscular tube that connects the mouth to the esophagus and serves as a pathway for food and air