Non-Instrumental Test for the Evaluation of Tongue Function

The tongue undergoes various negative adaptations in the presence of local or systemic pathologies, adversely its behavior within the body context. Tongue assessments to correctly diagnose its functions are carried out using instrumentation, such as ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging, electromyography and different intraoral devices (swallowing, strength, posture, phonesis). Currently, there is no dynamic non-instrumental test in the scientific literature to highlight any lingual dysfunctions. The article describes a non-instrumental test for the assessment of lingual function in the body context, to obtain preliminary information on the quality of the neurological activities of the tongue, with respect to the balance and muscle strength that the patient expresses. The text briefly reviews the anatomy of the tongue and describes a clinical case to better understand how to use this test. Further studies will be needed for the validation of the test.