A tongue is a muscular organ formed by a complex arrangement of intrinsic and extrinsic muscles. According to [1], the intrinsic muscles are responsible for altering the shape of the tongue, while the extrinsic muscles control its movement in different directions.
Essentially, the tongue is a dynamic and versatile muscle crucial for various functions.
Tongue Muscles
The tongue's muscular structure can be categorized as:
- Intrinsic Muscles: These muscles reside entirely within the tongue and primarily change its shape.
- Extrinsic Muscles: These muscles originate outside the tongue and insert into it, responsible for moving the tongue in different directions [1].