The tongue consists of three main layers: the mucosa, submucosa, and muscles.
- Mucosa: This is the outermost layer and includes the epithelium and lamina propria. The epithelium is a stratified squamous epithelium, which can be either keratinized or non-keratinized depending on the region of the tongue. - Submucosa: This layer contains connective tissue, blood vessels, and nerves. It provides support to the mucosa and houses minor salivary glands. - Muscles: The intrinsic and extrinsic muscles of the tongue are composed of skeletal muscle fibers, allowing for a wide range of movements.
