Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Assessment of the Mouth

Assessment of the Mouth

A thorough mouth assessment, including inspection and palpation of the lips, gums, tongue, tonsils, uvula, and pharynx, is crucial in detecting potential health issues. Diseases ranging from oral cancer to systemic conditions like diabetes could be identified early through careful oral examination. This article provides a detailed guide on conducting a comprehensive mouth assessment.
Mouth Inspection
The inspection begins with visually examining the mouth for symmetry, color, and size.

Tongue

Tongue

The human tongue is a fascinating and complex organ, responsible for various essential functions such as swallowing, speech, and taste. It is also subject to various conditions and diseases. In this article, we delve into the anatomy of the tongue, its roles, and some common conditions that can affect it.
Anatomical Position in the Oral Cavity
The tongue is located within the oral cavity, also known as the mouth. It is attached to the floor of the mouth by a fold of mucous membrane called the...

The Tongue and Taste Buds

The Tongue and Taste Buds

The surface of the tongue is covered with various small bumps called papillae, which either distribute what has been ingested (filiform papillae) or contain the sensory taste (or gustatory) receptor cells (fungiform, circumvallate, and foliate papillae). Embedded within each taste-related papilla are the taste buds—clusters of 30 to 100 gustatory receptor cells.

Esophageal Achalasia

Esophageal Achalasia

Esophageal achalasia is a chronic neurogenic disorder characterized by impaired relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and absent or ineffective peristalsis in the distal esophagus. This leads to a functional obstruction without a physical blockage, despite significant disruption of esophageal motility.EtiologyAchalasia is caused by degeneration of the myenteric (Auerbach's) plexus, specifically the loss of inhibitory ganglion cells that produce vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)...

Cranial Nerves: Types Part II

Cranial Nerves: Types Part II

Cranial nerves are responsible for transmitting motor and sensory information between the brain and various parts of the body. There are twelve pairs of cranial nerves. While the first six innervate the head and neck, the latter six nerves innervate the head and neck, as well as organs and tissues in the thoracic and abdominal cavities. They facilitate communication, expression, and autonomic control within the human body.
Facial Nerve (Cranial Nerve VII)
Cranial nerve VII, or the facial nerve,...

Taste Buds and Receptors

Taste Buds and Receptors

Gustation, or the sense of taste, is intrinsically linked to the anatomical structures located on the tongue. This organ's surface, along with the entirety of the oral cavity, is adorned with stratified squamous epithelium. Evident on the tongue are elevated structures known as papillae (singular = papilla), which house the mechanisms for the transduction of gustatory stimuli. Four distinct types of papillae exist, each identified by their unique morphological attributes: the circumvallate,...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Mental Health Considerations for the Well-Being and Success of Dental Students.

Journal of dental education·2025

Same author

The impact of dental curriculum format on student performance on the national board dental examination.

Journal of dental education·2022

Same author

CERE-120 Prevents Irradiation-Induced Hypofunction and Restores Immune Homeostasis in Porcine Salivary Glands.

Molecular therapy. Methods & clinical development·2020

Same author

Nanofibrous antibiotic-eluting matrices: Biocompatibility studies in a rat model.

Journal of biomedical materials research. Part B, Applied biomaterials·2019

Same author

A Comparison of Three Camera Systems for Intraoral Photography.

The New York state dental journal·2018

Same author

HPV and Oral Cancer: The Need to Integrate Oral Health Practices Into Nursing Education.

Clinical journal of oncology nursing·2018

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 18, 2026

In Vivo Evaluation of the Mechanical and Viscoelastic Properties of the Rat Tongue

In Vivo Evaluation of the Mechanical and Viscoelastic Properties of the Rat Tongue

Published on: July 6, 2017

Unilateral tongue atrophy.

Steven Midstokke¹, Stephen J Hess, Tarnjit Saini

¹Department of General Dentistry, Creighton University School of Dentistry, Omaha, USA.

General Dentistry

|December 1, 2006

Summary

Unilateral tongue atrophy, a rare finding during routine dental visits, requires medical and dental review. This case highlights the importance of recognizing such signs for comprehensive patient care.

Area of Science:

Oral Medicine
Neurology
Dentistry

Background:

Unilateral tongue atrophy is an uncommon clinical manifestation.
It can be associated with various underlying medical conditions.
Routine dental examinations can reveal such findings.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the medical and dental significance of unilateral tongue atrophy.
To emphasize the role of dentists in identifying potential health issues.

Main Methods:

Case presentation of a 64-year-old woman with unilateral tongue atrophy.
Literature review on the etiology and implications of tongue atrophy.

Main Results:

The patient presented with unilateral tongue atrophy during a routine dental visit.

More Related Videos

Ultrasound Images of the Tongue: A Tutorial for Assessment and Remediation of Speech Sound Errors

Ultrasound Images of the Tongue: A Tutorial for Assessment and Remediation of Speech Sound Errors

Published on: January 3, 2017

The Flexible Rhino-Laryngoscope for Awake Nasotracheal Intubation

The Flexible Rhino-Laryngoscope for Awake Nasotracheal Intubation

Published on: August 2, 2024

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 18, 2026

In Vivo Evaluation of the Mechanical and Viscoelastic Properties of the Rat Tongue

In Vivo Evaluation of the Mechanical and Viscoelastic Properties of the Rat Tongue

Published on: July 6, 2017

Ultrasound Images of the Tongue: A Tutorial for Assessment and Remediation of Speech Sound Errors

Ultrasound Images of the Tongue: A Tutorial for Assessment and Remediation of Speech Sound Errors

Published on: January 3, 2017

The Flexible Rhino-Laryngoscope for Awake Nasotracheal Intubation

The Flexible Rhino-Laryngoscope for Awake Nasotracheal Intubation

Published on: August 2, 2024

Review indicates potential neurological or other systemic causes.

Conclusions:

Unilateral tongue atrophy warrants thorough medical and dental evaluation.
Dentists play a crucial role in the early detection of systemic diseases.