Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Tongue01:01

Tongue

1.2K
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...
1.2K
Assessment of the Mouth01:26

Assessment of the Mouth

300
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.
300
The Tongue and Taste Buds00:49

The Tongue and Taste Buds

37.0K
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.
37.0K
Cranial Nerves: Types Part II01:22

Cranial Nerves: Types Part II

2.6K
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,...
2.6K
The Hyoid Bone01:12

The Hyoid Bone

2.3K
The hyoid bone is a small U-shaped bone located in the upper neck at the level of the inferior mandible, with its tips pointing posteriorly. It does not directly articulate with any other bone in the body. The hyoid acts as the attachment site for the tongue, the larynx, and the pharynx. It is held in position by a series of small muscles attached from above or below. These muscles help to move the hyoid up/down or forward/back in coordination with movements of the tongue, larynx, and pharynx...
2.3K
Deglutition01:25

Deglutition

2.2K
Swallowing, otherwise known as deglutition, facilitates the transport of food from the mouth to the stomach. It is a multifaceted process that involves both the tongue and the muscles of the throat and esophagus. Saliva and mucus aid in this process, which takes approximately 4 to 8 seconds for semi-solid or solid food and around 1 second for liquids or very soft food.
Swallowing can be divided into three stages: the voluntary phase, the pharyngeal phase, and the esophageal phase. Although the...
2.2K

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

The brain limit.

eLife·2021
Same author

Whale breaching says it loud and clear.

eLife·2020
Same author

Whale jaw joint is a shock absorber.

The Journal of experimental biology·2020
Same author

Multiaxial movements at the minke whale temporomandibular joint.

Journal of morphology·2020
Same author

Pectoral herding: an innovative tactic for humpback whale foraging.

Royal Society open science·2019
Same author

Oil adsorption does not structurally or functionally alter whale baleen.

Royal Society open science·2019

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 3, 2025

In Vivo Evaluation of the Mechanical and Viscoelastic Properties of the Rat Tongue
06:59

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

Published on: July 6, 2017

8.8K

Cetacean tongue mobility and function: A comparative review.

Alexander J Werth1, A W Crompton2

  • 1Department of Biology, Hampden-Sydney College, Hampden-Sydney, Virginia, USA.

Journal of Anatomy
|April 12, 2023
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Cetacean tongues are highly adapted for aquatic life, losing typical mammalian functions like chewing but gaining new roles in feeding and filter mechanisms. These specialized tongues showcase evolutionary innovation in marine mammals.

Keywords:
filter feedingingestionmorphologyoral transportsuction feedingswallowing

More Related Videos

Adapting Human Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study Methods to Detect and Characterize Dysphagia in Murine Disease Models
08:32

Adapting Human Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study Methods to Detect and Characterize Dysphagia in Murine Disease Models

Published on: March 1, 2015

21.4K
µTongue: A Microfluidics-Based Functional Imaging Platform for the Tongue In Vivo
07:53

µTongue: A Microfluidics-Based Functional Imaging Platform for the Tongue In Vivo

Published on: April 22, 2021

4.3K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Aug 3, 2025

In Vivo Evaluation of the Mechanical and Viscoelastic Properties of the Rat Tongue
06:59

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

Published on: July 6, 2017

8.8K
Adapting Human Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study Methods to Detect and Characterize Dysphagia in Murine Disease Models
08:32

Adapting Human Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study Methods to Detect and Characterize Dysphagia in Murine Disease Models

Published on: March 1, 2015

21.4K
µTongue: A Microfluidics-Based Functional Imaging Platform for the Tongue In Vivo
07:53

µTongue: A Microfluidics-Based Functional Imaging Platform for the Tongue In Vivo

Published on: April 22, 2021

4.3K

Area of Science:

  • Marine Biology
  • Comparative Anatomy
  • Evolutionary Biology

Background:

  • Cetaceans (whales, dolphins, porpoises) exhibit unique mammalian adaptations for a fully aquatic environment.
  • Their tongues significantly differ from terrestrial mammals in structure, mobility, and function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the specialized morphology and functions of cetacean tongues.
  • To understand how these adaptations relate to their aquatic lifestyle and evolutionary history.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative anatomical analysis of cetacean tongues.
  • Review of existing literature on cetacean feeding strategies and tongue function.

Main Results:

  • Cetacean tongues are not used for mastication or typical nursing but are crucial for food ingestion, transport, and swallowing in water.
  • Odontocetes use tongues for suction feeding and hydraulic jetting, while Mysticetes employ them in filter-feeding mechanisms and water expulsion.
  • Rorqual tongues are uniquely flaccid, aiding in engulfing large volumes of water for filter feeding.

Conclusions:

  • Cetacean tongues have evolved remarkable modifications, losing some ancestral mammalian traits while developing novel functions essential for marine survival.
  • These adaptations highlight the significant evolutionary pressures and innovations associated with secondary adaptation to aquatic environments.