Consistency of the Tongue and Floor of the Mouth.

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to quantitatively evaluate differences in consistency among different parts of the tongue and the floor of the mouth. Sixteen healthy young adults were examined using an instrument capable of measuring consistency as a function of the load (in grams) needed to displace oral mucosa 2.0mm by a probe 2.0mm in diameter. The mean values of consistency (SD; standard deviation) of normal mucosa were 5.0g (2.8), 4.5g (2.6), 3.8g (2.4), 3.4g (1.9), corresponding to inferior surface of tongue, dorsum of tongue, floor of the mouth, and lateral surface of tongue, respectively. Furthermore, consistency varied among smaller areas, such as superior, inferior, medial, lateral, anterior, or posterior, in each part. This study demonstrates that there are subtle differences in consistency of the tongue and floor of the mouth depending on the different regions.