The Tongue: A Complex Muscular Organ

The tongue is not a single muscle but a muscular organ with interwoven intrinsic and extrinsic muscles. Extrinsic muscles arise from the mandible, hyoid bone, styloid process, and soft palate and insert into the tongue; the frenulum and other connective tissues also guide and limit its movement. Thus, the familiar claim that the tongue is “attached at only one end” is an inaccurate simplification. The tongue moves food and helps with chewing, swallowing, and speech. Taste receptor cells sit in taste buds, most of which are on the tongue; flavor perception also depends on smell and other sensory signals.