Language is one of the organs of specific sensitivity. In addition, he participates in the formation of speech, helps to express emotions, and is an indicator of some diseases of the blood and gastrointestinal tract.
Language structure
The human tongue is formed by striated muscle tissue, which is covered with mucous membrane. Anatomists conditionally divide the organ into two unequal parts: the root (1/3) and the body (2/3), which are separated by a terminal furrow. The surface of the tongue facing the palate is called the back. She shares in half the sagittal groove (the junction of the two halves of the organ). On the lower surface is the frenum of the tongue, which is also attached to the bottom of the oral cavity.
Some people have a blind hole at the junction of the terminal and sagittal grooves. It was formed due to infection of the thyroid duct, which was the embryonic germ of the thyroid gland.
Functions
The language performs quite a lot of functions:
- chewing and swallowing;
- articulate speech;
- taste perception and regulation of salivation.
In dogs, this organ also performs thermoregulation, since only through it is active evaporation of moisture (or saliva) possible. This is due to the fact that in animals covered with thick hair, it is not possible to evaporate liquid from other parts of the body.
Cats use the tongue for hygiene purposes. They wash themselves and their cubs, and sometimes their master, if any. In addition, feline language is different in structure. Along its edge are small tubercles that allow these animals to separate the meat from the bones.
Papillae on the tongue
The mucous membrane of the anterior two-thirds of the tongue and epithelial plastic form specific elevations - the papillae. Taste papillae in the tongue are of five types:
- threadlike;
- conical;
- mushroom-shaped;
- grooved;
- leaf-shaped.
You can tell more about each of them:
- Filamentous papillae (papillae filiformes) in the tongue most. They are stretched along the edges of the tongue and in front, have a greater length than the back. Morphologically, the papilla is a protrusion of the mucosa, covered with non-keratinizing epithelium (this gives them a white color). These papillae do not capture the taste of food; they only touch it and hold it in the mouth.
- Conical papillae (papillae conicae) on the tongue are mixed with filiform and very similar to them, both in structure and function. They have pain and temperature receptors. Designed for the mechanical processing of food.
- Taste papillae on the tongue are mushroom-shaped (papillae fungiformes) . They are rounded, resemble whitish hats, as they are also covered with stratified epithelium. They randomly cover the body of the tongue, but do not meet in the center of the back. Their number can reach 1000 pieces. At the tip of the papilla are several taste buds (from two to fifteen) that perceive sweet.
- Grooved papillae (papillae vallatae) are located near the root and morphologically include the papilla, the cushion, and the glands. Their number is small, but it is they who perceive bitter tastes.
- Leaf papillae (papillae foliatae) in the tongue are located near the palatine arches. They are oval and folded in the form of leaflets (hence the name). In the depths of the "leaves" are receptors that perceive a sour taste.
Causes of inflammation of the papillae of the tongue
The inflammation of the papillae in the colloquial language is called tipun ’. This is a fairly common occurrence, especially in children and nervous people. The former drag dirty objects into their mouths, and the latter, in order to cope with emotions, must nibble a pen cap or pencil, or other stationery, which also does not differ in cleanliness. The disease is accompanied by rather unpleasant symptoms. Among them:
- enlarged papillae on the tongue;
- foreign body sensation;
- burning and taste disturbance;
- pain when touching, talking, chewing.
The causes of inflammation can be a variety of things. Chemical and thermal burns, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), injuries resulting from the absorption of sweets, brushing, dentures and chipped teeth. An important role is played by infectious diseases of bacterial, viral or fungal origin.
Glossitis
If you have inflamed papillae in your tongue, but it may not necessarily be a harmless pep. There is such an ailment as glossitis. It develops as a result of trauma or infection, as well as a manifestation of vitamin deficiency and anomalies in the structure of the tongue.
In any case, if the clinical picture contains inflamed papillae on the tongue, the causes of the disease can be mechanical (injuries of the tongue, oral cavity as a whole), chemical (burns with alkalis and acids, nicotine, alcohol, spices), physical (hot or cold food) as well as allergic (reaction to components of toothpaste, mouth freshener). Among systemic diseases accompanied by glossitis, iron deficiency anemia, lichen planus, aphthosis, syphilis and many others are distinguished.
Symptoms of glossitis
There are several variations of glossitis, but the following symptoms are common to all:
- change in color and structure of the organ;
- increase in size;
- the presence of plaque in the language;
- problems with chewing food, swallowing, speech;
- burning.
Clinically distinguish deep glossitis, when the inflammatory process is located in the thickness of the lingual muscle in the form of an abscess or phlegmon. With phlegmonous glossitis, the entire oral cavity, as well as the fiber of the neck, is involved in the pathological process.
Superficial glossitis is an isolated inflammation of the mucous membrane of the tongue. Catarrhal glossitis is accompanied by swelling of the tongue, its immobility, a burning sensation and profuse salivation.
Ulcerative glossitis is characterized by the appearance of gray or black plaque, after the removal of which a bleeding surface remains. Such patients tend to have bad breath.
Desquamative glossitis appears as a sign of serious systemic disorders in the body. Folded and rhomboid glossitis are congenital anomalies and do not cause any symptoms. Hunter glossitis is an early symptom of anemia. It is manifested by burning on the tip of the tongue and coloring it in raspberry color.
Diagnosis of glossitis
If you have suspicions that the papillae on the tongue have become inflamed, then this is a direct road to the dentist. He examines the oral cavity and, if possible, identifies the cause of this phenomenon. It is possible that the visit is not limited to a doctor. It may happen that the dentist refers you to a general practitioner or gastroenterologist.
In any case, for an accurate diagnosis, you will need to take a blood test, take a flush from the tongue and carry out all the necessary laboratory tests so as not to miss something important.
Glossitis treatment
When the diagnosis is clear, you need to start with etiotropic therapy, that is, eliminate the cause. This may be the treatment of the underlying disease, antibiotic therapy, anti-inflammatory drugs and immunomodulators. As a rule, corticosteroids are used to relieve edema and reduce pain, but it is impossible to prescribe them yourself on any account, since they have serious side effects.
To disinfect the oral cavity as a whole, and the tongue in particular, rinses with furacilin, potassium permanganate or chlorhexidine are recommended. Local anesthetics such as lidocaine are also suitable for reducing pain. In advanced cases, surgical treatment may be required.