310 



THE TONGUE. 



THE TONGUE. 



The tongue is arranged here among the organs of degluti- 

 tion, though it performs a variety of other offices equally 

 important in connection with other functions ; as, for in- 

 stance, it is concerned in prehension, suction, mastication, 

 articulation, playing upon wind instruments, and is the 

 special organ of taste. 



It is an organ of motion \ its great bulk consisting of 

 muscular structure. It is an organ of sensation, both 

 special and general, being most abundantly supplied with 

 nerves ; and it is also an organ of secretion ; hence the im- 

 portance of this body considered in any and every aspect. 

 Its situation in the cavity of the mouth, and within the 

 F, G . 59. dental arch, in the state of rest, 



is familiar to all. It is kept in 

 its position by ligaments and 

 muscles, which attach it to the 

 hyoid bone, the styloid pro- 

 cesses and the lower jaw. It 

 has, however, free motion at its 

 tip and sides. The posterior 

 portion, connecting it with the 

 os-hyoides, is called its base, the 

 middle portion the body, and the 

 anterior part the tip. It has two 

 surfaces, an upper and lower; 

 the upper is called the dorsum 

 of the tongue. Its size is very 

 variable in different individuals. 



TV 



but is always in proportion to the curve of the lower jaw, 

 and never fills the entire cavity of the mouth when the 

 jaws are closed. The anterior and middle part is hori- 



FIG. 89 represents a view of the Upper Surface of the Tongue, a a Poste- 

 rior lateral half arches; 6 Epiglottis; c c Mucous membrane, extending from 

 root of tongue to epiglottis; d Foramen coecum of Morgagni; e Lenticular 

 papillae; /Papillae filliformes; g Conical papillae; h Point of tongue; i i Fungi- 

 form papillae. 



