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tongue

The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition | 2008 | The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Copyright 2008 Columbia University Press. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

tongue muscular organ occupying the floor of the mouth in vertebrates. In some animals, such as lizards, anteaters, and frogs, it serves a food-gathering function. In humans, the tongue functions principally in chewing, swallowing, and speaking. The human tongue is covered by a mucous membrane containing small projections called papillae, which give it a rough surface. Tiny taste organs, or buds, are scattered over the surface of three of the four types of papillae, with large numbers concentrated on papillae found on the back and sides of the tongue. The appearance of the tongue is often an indication of body health; a pinkish-red color is normal. In impairment of the digestion and in certain feverish diseases, a yellowish coating forms. Local infection of the tongue is called thrush .

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tongue

World Encyclopedia | 2005 | © World Encyclopedia 2005, originally published by Oxford University Press 2005. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

tongue Muscular organ usually rooted to the floor of the mouth. The tongue contains the taste buds and helps to move food around the mouth for chewing and swallowing; animals also use it for lapping fluids and for grooming. In human beings, the tongue is vital for the production of speech. See also senses

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TONGUE

Concise Oxford Companion to the English Language | 1998 | | © Concise Oxford Companion to the English Language 1998, originally published by Oxford University Press 1998. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

TONGUE. A flexible mass of tissue attached to the lower back of the mouth of most vertebrate animals; an aid to chewing and swallowing, the organ of taste, and an important component in the articulation of SPEECH. Words for ‘tongue’ in many languages stand for speech itself. English has a number of words and phrases of different origin which do this: language, through French langue, from Latin lingua, tongue; linguistics, directly from Latin; polyglot and isogloss, from the Greek glṓssa, tongue; the phrases mother tongue, foreign tongue, and the Biblical gift of tongues; such idioms as Has the cat got your tongue? (said to someone who will not speak), to bite one's tongue (to remain silent despite provocation), it's on the tip of my tongue (I know it but I can't quite recall it), Hold your tongue (Be quiet).

In terms of anatomy and PHONETICS, the tongue has five parts: the tip (of the tongue), the blade (of the tongue), the front (of the tongue), the back (of the tongue), and the root, which lies not in the mouth but in the pharynx. Sounds made at the tip (the ‘apex’ of the tongue) are apical. The blade is immediately behind the tip, lies opposite the alveolar ridge of the upper mouth when the tongue is in a state of rest, and sounds made with the blade (Latin lamina) are laminal. The area behind the blade is the front, which lies opposite the hard palate when the tongue is in a state of rest, and sounds made with the front are palatal. The back of the tongue lies opposite the soft palate or velum when the tongue is in a state of rest, and sounds made with the back include velar consonants and back vowels.

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Free newspaper and magazine articles

Free Article Tongue reconstruction procedures for treatment of cancer.(Otorhinolaryngology Surgery Update)
Magazine article from: AORN Journal; 3/1/1997
Free Article Traditional Chinese tongue diagnosis applied in Western medicine.(strive: the student view)
Magazine article from: Access; 3/1/2008
Free Article Chinese medicine update: tongue diagnosis in Chinese medicine.
Magazine article from: Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients; 1/1/2004

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Tongue reconstruction procedures for treatment of cancer.(Otorhinolaryngology Surgery Update)
Magazine article from: AORN Journal; 3/1/1997; ; 700+ words ; Tongue cancer is a relatively uncommon cancer in the general population, but can result in major disruptions...Speech and swallowing comprise two of the most important activities we have on a daily basis, and the tongue is the primary component in both. Tongue cancer cure rates vary with tumor stage. A ... Read more
Traditional Chinese tongue diagnosis applied in Western medicine.(strive: the student view)
Magazine article from: Access; 3/1/2008; ; 700+ words ; Background The tongue diagnosis is one of the most important diagnostic...1000 B.C.). Practitioners of TCM believe that the tongue's appearance can show a lot about someone's health. Tongue appearance is not used as a diagnostic tool by itself... Read more
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Magazine article from: Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients; 1/1/2004; ; 700+ words ; Keywords: Chinese medicine, pattern discrimination, tongue diagnosis In last month's issue of The Townsend...medicine. This month I would like to discuss tongue diagnosis or, more properly, tongue examination (she zhen) in Chinese medicine. While... Read more
Mother tongues and literary languages.
Magazine article from: The Modern Language Review; 10/1/2001; ; 700+ words ; 'Native speaker' and 'mother tongue' are two symmetrical and converse notions. They seem to...viewpoints. Native speakers, by definition, speak their mother tongue, and a mother tongue is the language of a native speaker, but, in spite of this... Read more
Speaking in tongues: the multiple personalities of Maria Gabriela Llansol.
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tongue. (Image by ArnoldReinhold, GFDL)

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