We learn about the body Part 13 - The tongue - Information and questions for kids Gr 2-3

You do not only have teeth inside of your mouth, but also a tongue.  This strong muscle helps with talking and eating.

Lets learn more about the tongue and also answer a few questions.

1. What are the functions of your tongue?
2. Which part is used to create many the sounds we use and which sounds?
3. How does the tongue help with eating?
4. Why is it necessary that you have spit in your mouth?
5. What covers the surface of your tongue and what is the function of it?
6. What are the 4 main tastes your tongue can taste?
7. Which other organ helps you to taste?

The tongue is made up of muscles and it is fastened to the bottom of the mouth.

On the surface of the tongue you will find the taste buds that will help you to taste.

The human tongue has on average 3,000 - 10,000 taste buds.

The bumps we can see on the tongue are called papillae. Taste buds sit on top of these papillae but are not visible to the human eye.

For one or other reason that we really do not know, women has shorter tongues than men.  Maybe to move it faster to talk more :):)

To stick out your tongue at somebody is usually seen as you do not have manners, but in Tibet it actually means you are greeting somebody.

Animals also have tongues and a few interesting facts are

• the blue whale's tongue is huge and weighs 2.7 tons - this is the animal with the biggest tongue ( that is the weight of two trucks)
• cats use their tongues to clean their fur and the rough surface of the tongue helps to take off the dirt 
• if a dog exercises, its tongue will hang out of its mouth.  The reason is because the tongue swells with more blood and the wet surface of the tongue helps to cool down the dog
• Some animals have tongues with which they can catch their food, like a frog and a chameleon

• For fun read some tongue twisters here.