# What is the tongue?

The the tongue is called the tongue (lingua). Gray's Anatomy (1918) describes it as a muscular organ made of two sets of muscles: intrinsic (which change its shape) and extrinsic (which move it in the mouth).

## What it means

- A muscular organ made of two sets of muscles: intrinsic (which change its shape) and extrinsic (which move it in the mouth).
- Covered by mucous membrane containing the taste buds.
- Essential for tasting, chewing, swallowing, and speech.

## Action steps

1. On the floor of the mouth.
2. Anchored to the hyoid bone and mandible.
3. Its posterior third extends into the throat (oropharynx).

## Sources

- [Gray's Anatomy of the Human Body (1918)](https://www.bartleby.com/107/)

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