The tongue is a muscular organ located in the mouth, primarily responsible for taste, speech, and the manipulation of food during chewing and swallowing. It is covered with tiny bumps called papillae, which contain taste buds that help detect different flavors such as sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami. In addition to its sensory functions, the tongue plays a crucial role in articulation, helping to form sounds and words during speech. It also aids in the process of digestion by moving food around and pushing it toward the throat for swallowing.