The tongue (lingua) is an elongated muscle covered by a mucous membrane that is located within the oral cavity, which it fills almost completely when the mouth is closed.
The tongue is already going to upper digestive tract expected,
takes on important functions in
Apart from that, we owe our fortune, among other things, to our tongue speak to be able to.
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Tongue - Lingua
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In the tongue can be macroscopic differentiate between different sections.
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At the very back is the Tongue root (also: Tongue base, Radix linguae). this is the thickest Part of the tongue that is not only Muscle tissue, but also the Tongue almond (Tonsilla linguae) which contains from lymphoid tissue consists and part of the Defense system represents.
The root of the tongue is firmly on the Hyoid bone (Os hyoideum) anchored, which in turn with the help of Ribbons and Muscles at the Larynx is attached. This link is for that Swallowing process of great importance.
The closes at the root of the tongue Tongue body (Corpus linguae). The transition between the two areas is made by the so-called Terminal sulcus marked, an indentation on the surface of the tongue. The tongue body consists of several layers striated Musculaturethat can be divided into an inner and an outer group. The muscle fibers run from front to back, top to bottom, and right to left, creating a mesh that allows our tongue to look like this flexible to move in any direction and different shapes to accept (e.g. to appear sometimes thicker and sometimes thinner).
Aside from the muscle tissue come in the tongue body too annoy and Blood vessels that run between the individual muscle fiber bundles. This runs across the middle of the tongue from front to back Septum linguae, a type of septum made of tendon fibers. Right at the front is the Tip of tongue (Apex linguae), where the two outer edges of the tongue converge.
The upper outer surface of the tongue is known as Back of the tongue (Dorsum linguae), which is slightly curved upwards and is completely exposed. In the back part of the back of the tongue you can see a triangular depression, which you can also see blind hole (Foramen caecum) is called. This hole is a remnant of a passage that once formed the oral cavity with the thyroid connected (ductus thyreoglossus), but is now closed. Several now flow here Mucous glands. The underside of the tongue (facies inferior linguae), however, is not completely exposed. Its middle part is firmly attached to the Oral cavity grown together.
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In the front there is a fold in the lining of the mouth, the so-called Tongue frenulum (Frenulum linguae) over which the tongue is fastened in such a way that its lateral edges and tip are exposed. There is a developmental disorder in which the ligament of the tongue extends too far forward (ankyloglosson). babyThose affected by this are noticeable because they have difficulty sucking (and therefore often do not eat enough food) and are restricted in their sound production. However, this disorder can be remedied relatively easily by removing the ligament of the tongue cuts in.
The tongue is supplied with vessels via an artery called the lingual artery, which comes from the External carotid artery branches off and is only responsible for supplying the tongue. In its course, it branches out into various smaller branches, including the sublingual artery and the deep lingual artery. The blood can finally drain away via the lingual vein.
The innervation (supply of nerves) of the tongue is quite complicated as it consists of three different parts, namely a motor, a sensory and a sensory (responsible for taste).
$config[ads_text4] not foundThe motor innervation of the tongue muscles takes place via the 12th cranial nerve, the hypoglossal nerve.
The sensitive and sensory innervation differ depending on the location on the tongue:
On the upper side of the mucous membrane that covers the tongue all around, there is a multilayered, uncornified squamous epithelium in which there are four different types of papillae, which can be divided into two groups:
The tongue fulfills a number of important functions in humans.
On the one hand, it represents the first point of contact when eating. It moves the food in the mouth, so it distributes it once so that it can get to the teeth, sometimes crushes and crushes it and mixes it with the saliva, which is already the Initiates the digestion of certain food components.
Ultimately, it pushes the chyme down the throat, making it a crucial part of the swallowing process.
The tongue is also absolutely necessary for speaking, as it is involved in the articulation of the so-called tongue sounds. The palate or the soft palate does not play the last role in this process.
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In addition, the tongue is the organ that makes it possible to taste. A multitude of taste buds lie on it, which enable us to differentiate between the flavors sweet, sour, salty, bitter and umami (tasty, meaty).
The buds for the “sweet” quality are increasingly in the front area of the tongue, followed by salty, sour and then salty again. The “bitter” sensation is mainly perceived in the back of the tongue. In principle, however, contrary to the long-held opinion, you can perceive any taste quality with any area of the tongue.
Changes in the tongue can often be indicative of Diseases which is why an examination of the tongue is essential general physical examination belongs to it.
This investigation includes that Consider the surface of the tongue (often with the help of a tongue depressor in order to be able to assess the entire surface up to the root of the tongue), with a special focus on possible
The tongue itself can be the site of disease. For example there is the Fungal attack the tongue with Candida, Aphthous ulcers, Abscesses and even Tumorsaffecting the tongue only.
On the other hand, it can also be affected as part of an underlying disease. Only a few frequently observed examples should be mentioned here: The Lacquer tongue is an unusually smooth and sometimes slightly darker tongue, indicative of the presence of one Cirrhosis of the liver or some form of Anemiawho speaks of pernicious anemia.
A Raspberry tongue, which is noticeable by its strong red color and berry-like surface, comes with some feverish infections, but especially with Scarlet fever, in front.
The Blue color the tongue indicates a central defect on oxygen down.
An increased whitish one Tongue coating often speaks for you too infection or simply that there has been no food intake for a long time, which is why the plaque can build up more easily.
Aphthae are erosions of the mucous membrane that can appear on the tongue. This also means small, painful wounds on the tongue, which can be covered with a white-yellowish film called fibrin. In the vicinity of the canker sores, inflammatory reactions also take place, which contribute to the fact that patients who suffer from canker sores have severe pain. Patients are severely restricted in their quality of life, because not only eating but also speaking and swallowing are extremely painful. Infants and young children may stop eating and drinking when they have canker sores on the tongue.
The patient's pain does not depend on the size of the canker sores, but on the location. Lesions of the tongue in particular are very painful because it is supplied with many nerves and is exposed to strong mechanical loads. In addition, the pain is worsened if acidic foods and drinks are consumed, which additionally irritate the inflammatory blisters.
$config[ads_text2] not foundRead more on the subject at: Pain under the tongue.
The causes for the development of canker sores have not been conclusively clarified. In addition to infectious causes, autoimmune processes are also held responsible for the development of canker sores. Viral infections, such as an infection with the herpes virus, are often responsible for the development of canker sores. Aphthae on the tongue can also result from digestive problems or a weak immune system. In addition to these factors, food is also held responsible for the development of canker sores. In addition to acidic foods, nuts and tomatoes should also play a role. It is also assumed that deficiencies in vitamin B12, iron or folic acid can lead to the development of canker sores.
Drug therapy is usually not necessary as the canker sores heal on their own after a while. Since there are no direct remedies for canker sores either, pain relievers are mainly used to relieve the pain. If bacteria are suspected to be the cause of the canker sores, antibiotics are prescribed. Hydrogen peroxide solutions or simple household remedies such as chamomile and sage tea can be used to rinse the mouth to disinfect the oral cavity.
Read more on the topic: Canker sores
There are many reasons for a burning sensation on the tongue. The whole mouth and tongue can be particularly affected after ingestion spicy foods burn. But this burning quickly decreases again.
If the state of burning lasts longer, it is not easy to determine the exact cause. Inflammation the lining of the tongue or allergic reaction Certain substances ingested with the mouth can cause the sensation of a burning tongue. Another cause can be the Anemia as a consequence of Vitamin B12 deficiency be.
Also Iron deficiency can lead to this sensory disorder. Numerous common diseases are also causative: diabetes mellitus, gastroesophageal reflux disease and Infections. Burning tongue can also be due to it psychic causes, how depressions to be triggered. In addition, tension and incorrect movements of the chewing system can cause sensory disorders.
If the tongue burn occurs independently of other diseases, this clinical picture is called "Burning Mouth Syndrome" designated.
Some causes of tongue pain have already been mentioned: Canker sores and other injuries, diabetes mellitus, and inflammation of the mouth and tongue.
Furthermore, vitamin and Iron deficiency, Anemia, as well Allergies on foods and metals lead to tongue pain.
If you suspect an iron deficiency as the cause of your burning sensation, compare your other symptoms with the symptoms of an iron deficiency.
Also Nicotine consumption or the consumption of spicy food can be a cause. Besides these causes, the pain can also be from Jaw misalignments or the intolerance of prostheses.
The Tongue pain can either be treated with painkillers and narcotics or one tries to cure the cause of the pain and thus creates long-term improvement.
Read a lot more information on this topic: Burning tongue
If you have to hot dishes or beverages eats your tongue and the pain is greatest in the first few minutes in particular.
In order to relieve this pain, it is advisable to first cover the affected area on the tongue with cold water cool. At the same time, the wound is rinsed with the water, germs removed and infection prevented. It is also advisable to suck ice cubes for cooling.
A burned tongue usually heals on its own. Some home remedies help in this process by speeding up healing and killing bacteria. These home remedies include Honey, chamomile and sage tea. In addition to these simple methods, you can also go to the pharmacy Anoint or Lozenges can be acquired. In particularly rare cases, the tongue does not heal on its own, in which case a doctor should be consulted.
Cleaning the tongue serves oral hygiene and prevents bad breath, as well Inflammation in the oral cavity. In addition, the taste buds are cleaned and tastes are perceived more intensely.
Especially at the back of the tongue can develop Topping form, the one fertile soil for bacteria. These lead to illness of the teeth, the oral mucosa and lead to bad breath.
In addition to the conventional ones, they are suitable for cleaning the tongue toothbrush a Tongue scraper or one special tongue brushwhich is flatter and therefore minimizes the gag reflex when used in the back of the oral cavity. These instruments are after the normal Teeth cleaning used to scrape the topping off the tongue.
