FUNC T ION OF TONGUE IN STOMATOG NATHIC SYST EM :P

The function of tongue in mastication and deglutition

Preparatory stage- the tongue is at resting position, dorsum upwards, trough shaped to collect food on its dorsum

 Throwing stage- after food is collected, the anterior half of tongue twists to one side (dorsum to lingual), throwing ingesta onto lower teeth

 Guarding stage- tongue retains twisted position and dorsum presses on medial side of grinding teeth to prevent food from slipping medially into buccal cavity, for food grinding, with assistance of buccal muscles

 Sorting-out stage- chewing is complete and buccinators muscles drives cheek medially that it pushes food into buccal cavity and tongue. The tongue is preparing to resume resting position and trough shape. Uncrushed food in placed on middle trough of tongue to be deposited on teeth, while crushed food is more lateral on the tongue. The movement is repeated until all food is crushed. Bolus formation stage- overlaps with previous stage. The tongue alreternates side to sides churning movements to mix crushed food with saliva, mucus coat it, and ready it for swallowing

 First dilution stage- the tip of tongue is pressed against front teeth and anterior hard palate, to close off mouth and pharynx. For fluids a deep gutter shape is formed.

 Slide preparation stage- The hyoid bone is pulled upwards and anteriorly, the posterior tongue is depressed towards hyoid bone. The tongue now slopes obliquely downwards and backwards- tip against teeth and hard palate, root against hyoid bone. Side to side it is concave; anterioposteriorly, there is a smooth slope from mouth to oropharynx Pressure stage- bolus forces by pressure between tongue and hard palate to move backwards towards isthmus and enters the pharynx.

Function of tongue in speech

The tongue is an articulator and can be moved in many different places and shapes. There is the tip, blade, front, back and root of tongue.

Tongue height can be changed by moving the tongue up and down, or by movement of the lower jaw to produce: A vertical distance between upper surface of tongue and palate And the part of tongue between the front and back which is raised the highest These allows us to sound different vowels

Front vowels: front of tongue at highest point ae,i: Back vowel: back of tongue at highest point u:, a:

Respiratory system
The tongue does not play any function in the respiratory system.