tongue: Quick Facts

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Photos and Videos

Two anatomical illustrations of the human tongue: the left shows a close-up of the tongue's surface with a magnified view of papillae, while the right displays a labeled cross section of the tongue in the mouth, highlighting its position relative to the teeth, lips, roof of mouth, lower jawbone, and air passage.

muscular anatomy of the tongue

Circumvallate papillae

Black-and-yellow mangrove snake (Boiga dendrophila)

Detailed anatomical diagram of an open human mouth showing teeth, gums, and the roof of the mouth, with labels identifying features such as incisors, canines, premolars, molars, hard and soft palate, uvula, and various oral structures.

Diagram showing how humans detect flavor through chemoreception, with labeled sections illustrating odor detection in the nasal cavity, taste detection on the tongue, and how both signals are integrated in the brain.

A diagram illustrating the process of a snake extending and retracting its tongue to capture and deliver odor particles to the Jacobson's (vomeronasal) organ; it also shows the olfactory bulb and brain.

Do Different Parts of the Tongue Taste Different Flavors?

The science behind morning breath

Watch: A chameleon's projectile tongue at work

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Topics

Why do snakes flick their tongues?frenulum linguae lingual papilla dorsum taste bud foliate papilla fungiform papilla circumvallate papilla hyoid bone mouth tooth salivary gland palate lips gum periodontal membrane

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