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Related Concept Videos

Tongue01:01

Tongue

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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...
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Tip-of-the-Tongue Phenomenon01:10

Tip-of-the-Tongue Phenomenon

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The tip-of-the-tongue (TOT) phenomenon is a cognitive experience characterized by a temporary inability to retrieve specific information from memory despite having a strong feeling of knowing the information. Although individuals cannot access the target word or detail, they frequently recall related elements, such as its initial letter, syllable count, or context. This partial retrieval often causes frustration, as one might recognize a familiar face or know that a name starts with a specific...
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The Tongue and Taste Buds00:49

The Tongue and Taste Buds

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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.
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Gustation01:43

Gustation

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Gustation is a chemical sense that, along with olfaction (smell), contributes to our perception of taste. It starts with the activation of receptors by chemical compounds (tastants) dissolved in the saliva. The saliva and filiform papillae on the tongue distribute the tastants and increase their exposure to the taste receptors.
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Lipid Digestion01:06

Lipid Digestion

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Lipids are large molecules that are generally not water-soluble. Since most of the digestive enzymes in the human body are water-based, there are specific steps the body must take to break down lipids and make them available for use.
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What is Monogastric Digestion?01:50

What is Monogastric Digestion?

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The human body contains a monogastric digestive system. In a monogastric digestive system, the stomach only contains one chamber in which it digests food. Several other animal species also have monogastric digestive systems, including pigs, horses, dogs, and birds. This chapter, however, focuses on the human digestive system.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 12, 2026

Fabrication of Tongue Extracellular Matrix and Reconstitution of Tongue Squamous Cell Carcinoma In Vitro
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The tongue as a gripper.

Alexis C Noel1, David L Hu2,3

  • 1The George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA.

The Journal of Experimental Biology
|April 12, 2018
PubMed
Summary

Animals like frogs use soft, wet tongues to grip food. Tongue properties like softness, roughness, and saliva viscosity are key for effective prey capture and ingestion across species.

Keywords:
GripPapillaeSalivaSoft robotics

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Area of Science:

  • Biomechanics
  • Zoology
  • Materials Science

Background:

  • Many vertebrates capture prey using their tongues.
  • Tongue function involves complex interactions between surface properties and prey.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review diverse tongue projection methods, roughness, and coatings.
  • To identify conditions for effective grip and mobility in vertebrate tongues.
  • To explore potential applications in soft robotics.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of tongue biomechanics and morphology.
  • Analysis of physical properties: softness, roughness, and saliva viscosity.
  • Application of mathematical models (capillarity, elasticity, friction).

Main Results:

  • Tongue softness enhances reach (e.g., frog tongues).
  • Tongue roughness improves grip (e.g., penguin tongue spikes).
  • Saliva viscosity influences adhesion or lubrication, aiding capture of diverse food types.

Conclusions:

  • Tongue grip and mobility depend on a combination of physical properties.
  • Understanding these mechanisms can inform the design of bio-inspired soft robots.
  • Further research can explore the interplay of sensing and gripping in biological systems.