Tongue
The tongue is a muscular hydrostat on the floors of the mouths of most vertebrates which manipulates food for mastication. It is the primary organ of taste (gustation), as much of the upper surface of the tongue is covered in papillae and taste buds. It is sensitive and kept moist by saliva, and is richly supplied with nerves and blood vessels. In humans a secondary function of the tongue is phonetic articulation. The tongue also serves as a natural means of cleaning one's teeth. The ability to perceive different tastes is not localised in different parts of the tongue, as is widely believed. This error arose because of misinterpretation of some 19th-century research (see tongue map).
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Famous quotes containing the word tongue:
“The eye of man hath not heard, the ear of man hath not seen, man’s hand is not able to taste, his tongue to conceive, nor his heart to report what my dream was!”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)
“I am convinced that the best service a retired general can perform is to turn in his tongue along with his suit, and to mothball his opinions.”
—Omar Bradley (1893–1981)
“But Thou that know’st Love above Intrest or lust
Strew the Myrtle and Rose on this once belov’d Dust
And shed one pious tear upon Jinny the Just
Tread soft on her Grave, and do right to her honor
Let neither rude hand no ill Tongue light upon her
Do all the smal Favors that now can be done her”
—Matthew Prior (1664–1721)