BACKGROUND Visual inspection for tongue analysis is a diagnostic method in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Owing to the variations in tongue features, such as color, texture, coating, and shape, it is difficult to precisely extract the tongue region in images. This study aims to quantitatively evaluate tongue diagnosis via automatic tongue segmentation. METHODS Experiments were conducted ...

INTRODUCTION Tongue scraping and brushing have been appreciated for hundreds of years but are still appreciated or used by the public. Scientific evidence has validated the need to practice habitual and tongue cleaning as part of daily home oral hygiene procedures. OBJECTIVE To assess and compare the effect of tongue scraping and tongue brushing on oral Mutans streptococci level. MATERIALS ...

identified several morphologically distinct tongue types (Magimel-Pelonnier, 1924; Regal and Gans, 1976; Gans and Gorniak, 1982a,b; Trueb and Gans, 1983), indicating that several mechanisms of tongue protraction might be found within anurans. Subsequent functional studies identified three basic mechanisms of tongue protraction: mechanical pulling, inertial elongation and hydrostatic elongation....

Although a number of brief, fragmented descriptions have been provided on the gross morphology of the ratite tongue, very few studies have documented the histological structure of this organ. This paper presents the first definitive histological description of the emu tongue and reviews, consolidates and compares the scattered information on the histology of the ratite tongue available in the l...

Introduction: This pilot study compared the effect of tongue cleaning by using a tongue brush alone and the one of combined using a tongue brush and toothbrush. Materials and Methods: 20 healthy young men were studied. The effect of tongue cleaning was assessed according to the following three criteria, including a tongue coating index, H2S concentration and oral bacterial count. These criteria...

Although easily examined, abnormalities of the tongue can present a diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma for physicians. Recognition and diagnosis require a thorough history, including onset and duration, antecedent symptoms, and tobacco and alcohol use. Examination of tongue morphology and a careful assessment for lymphadenopathy are also important. Geographic tongue, fissured tongue, and hairy ...

Tongue diagnosis is a noninvasive diagnosis and is traditionally one of the most important tools for physicians who practice Kampo (traditional Japanese) medicine. However, it is a subjective process, and its results can depend on the experience of the physician performing it. Previous studies have reported how to measure and evaluate the shape and color of the tongue objectively. Therefore, th...

The tongue has a rich nerve supply and can detect not only the usual sensation of touch, pressure, heat and cold but also the special sensation of taste. This well developed sensory capability may be considered as a protective feature as it permits the tongue to ‘review’ substances before they pass into gastro intestinal tract. The tongue is important muscular organ which can also help in diagn...

OBJECTIVE To identify risk factors for dysphagia in tongue cancer patients. Dysphagia is a common complication of surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy in tongue cancer patients. Previous studies have attempted to identify risk factors for dysphagia in patients with head and neck cancer, but no studies have focused specifically on tongue cancer patients. METHODS This study was conducted on ...

Background General anesthesia can increase the volume of the tongue. A large tongue between the upper and lower teeth may be a serious obstacle, especially for tapping during occlusal adjustments in prosthetic treatment. We developed a tongue retractor to eliminate interference by the tongue. This study assesses the effect of the tongue retractor on occlusal adjustment time and describes two pa...