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:
“Rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”
—Bible: Hebrew, Proverbs 12:18.
“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)
“The gentle serpent, green in the mulberry bush,
Riots with his tongue through the hush—
Sentinel of the grave who counts us all!”
—Allen Tate (1899–1979)