A Study of the Posture of the Tongue in Individuals with Normal Occlusion

Abstract

The tongue in both man and animal has been considered through the ages to be a complex organ. It is a highly specialized combination of muscles and nerves and contains one of the five senses, the sense of taste. As H.B. Walter and L.F. Sayles stated in their book entitled: “Biology of the Vertebrates,” “The tongue serves many purposes. It is capable of great freedom of movement; it is a universal toothbrush, serves as a curry comb for fur-bearers, while animals like cats and dogs that lap up liquids use it as a spoon, it stands ready to receive the password of admittance from entering food, and in humans is essential for speech, respiration and swallowing.”

Even though the tongue is a complex organ in its actions and structure, it is unlike most organs of the human body. Man has not concerned himself to a great extent over its history of development for many reasons. It is encased by the orbicularis oris complex and buccinator muscles and teeth, thereby making ease of observation of its actions and development difficult. Another factor which acts against its observation for its apparent constant mobility.

Most postulations previously set forth concerning the action of the normal tongue have been unsupported by scientific data. Studies have been reported on abnormalities of the tongue and its associated surroundings, but little or no research on the normal tongue posture has been reported.

Recently roentgenography has been used to study areas of the body not easily seen by the naked eye. In the infancy of roentgenography development, it was considered by several investigators that this would be an important means of studying the tongue and thus this study came into being.