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Tongue Anatomy

cross section of tongue

Tongue Anatomy

 

 

 The inside of your mouth is covered by a delicate lining of mucous membrane. It is kept moist and lubricated by saliva, which is produced in three pairs of salivary glands in your mouth. These are the sublingual glands located under your tongue, the submandibular glands located in the floor of your mouth, and the parotid glands located above the angle of your jaw.



Your tongue is composed of a complex system of muscles that enable it to move food around as you chew. The surface of your tongue is covered with hair-like projections called papillae with groups of tastebuds arranged in clusters around them. Your tastebuds can distinguish four main types of flavors: sweet, salty, sour, and bitter. The majority of disorders affecting the mouth and tongue are not serious and are easy to treat. However, because it is possible for malignancies to form there, you should consult your physician or dentist of any condition persisting for more than two weeks.



 We're out participating at educational conventions and seminars throughout the year and we'd like to use this blog as a dental resource for our community of Phoenix, AZ (and beyond). Of course, we welcome you to join the conversation. Suggest topics and ask those burning questions about dentistry that keep you up at night. Please feel free to contact me through the Morse Family Dental  website. Remember, the advice provided here is intended to aid you in understanding some of the treatment options available. It is important to note that before beginning any course of treatment you should always see your dentist. 
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Location: Phoenix, AZ 85085, USA

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