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In most countries it is considered rude to stick one's tongue out. In Tibet this is not the case. In Tibet it is considered a greeting to stick out one's tongue.
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Taste buds sit on top of bumps on the tongue called papillae. You can see the papillae but not the taste buds with the naked eye.
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Some people believe that certain tastes can only be sensed from certain areas of the tongue. This is not true. All tastes, including sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and savoury (umami), can be sensed on all of the taste buds.
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It is not possible to taste sweet, salty, sour, bitter, or savoury until the salvia in one's mouth has moistened the food.
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Taste buds are also found on the cheeks, lips, and roof of the mouth.
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After eating, the tongue helps to clean the teeth naturally.
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The tongue's anterior accounts for two-thirds of its total length and extends from the tip towards the back of the mouth.
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The tongue's posterior accounts for one-third of the tongue and is the section closest to the throat.
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The tongue has eight muscles.
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The four intrinsic muscles in the tongue are responsible for allowing the tongue to change its shape. These muscles are not attached to any bone. When you roll or tuck your tongue you are using intrinsic muscles.
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The four extrinsic muscles in the tongue are responsible for allowing the tongue to change its position. These muscles are attached to bone. When you stick your tongue out you are using extrinsic muscles.
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Some animals like cats and dogs use their tongues to clean their fur. The texture of their tongues, which is rough, helps to get the dirt, oil, and even bugs off their fur and skin.
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A dog pants, letting its tongue hang out of its mouth, to help cool its body temperature as they are not able to sweat.
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Some creatures use their tongue to catch their prey, such as frogs, anteaters, and chameleons.
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The tongue is the body's strongest muscle but also the body's most sensitive.
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The tongue is the most flexible muscle in the human body.
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A person's tongue can tell about their health. A yellow tongue indicates fever or stomach issue. A white tongue indicates a fungal infection. A pink tongue indicates that a person is likely in fairly good health.
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