The tongue: structure and function relevant to disease and oral health

The tongue (L. lingua; G. glossa) functions as a digestive organ by facilitating the movement of food during mastication and assisting swallowing. Other important functions include speech and taste. The tongue consists of striated muscle and occupies the floor of the mouth. The dorsal mucosal surface consists of stratified squamous epithelium, with numerous papillae and taste buds. The tongue, a voluntary muscular structure, is attached by a fold, called the frenulum, to the floor of the mouth. Typically, between 8 and 12 circumvallate papillae are arranged in an inverted V-shape towards the base of the tongue. This anatomical review focuses on structure, function relationships and diseases affecting the tongue. From a primary oral health care perspective, this overview will facilitate the process of differential diagnosis in persons presenting with vesiculo-bullous, ulcerative, atrophic and cystic disorders of the tongue. Suspicious lesions should be biopsied to rule out carcinoma.