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Force and mobility in the ageing human tongue
The Medical Journal of Australia
|January 24, 1981
Summary
Aging typically weakens voluntary muscles. However, this study found that the tongue, unlike other muscles, maintains or even increases its force with age, suggesting unique resilience mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Muscle Physiology
- Anatomy
Background:
- Voluntary muscles undergo age-related decline in force and structure.
- The tongue's striated muscles are often considered an exception to these changes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate age-related changes in tongue muscle force and mobility.
- To explore the structural integrity of aged human tongues compared to other muscles.
Main Methods:
- Measurement of maximum tongue force and mobility in young (dentate) and aged (edentate denture wearers) individuals.
- Post-mortem examination of aged human tongue tissue.
Main Results:
- Aged edentate denture wearers showed significantly increased tongue force compared to young dentate individuals.
- Aged human tongue sections revealed an absence of typical age-related muscle degeneration.
Conclusions:
- The tongue exhibits remarkable resistance to age-related functional and structural decline.
- Increased masticatory activity and rich blood supply are hypothesized to maintain tongue muscle health.