Title: Tongue
Course: Non-Communicable Diseases, Emergency Care and Mental Health Part 1 - Ethiopia (Full)

Tongue

The tongue is a muscular organ which is important in enabling us to taste different types of food, roll chewed food into a ball for easy swallowing, and communicate with others through speech. A healthy tongue is pink and clean, with hundreds of tiny 'taste buds' visible on its surface (Figure 6.5).

Figure 6.5 A healthy tongue; the 'cracks' are normal and characteristic of each individual. (Photo: Author unknown, downloaded from Wikimedia Commons)