The tongue is located on the inferior portion of the mouth just posterior and medial to the teeth. It is a small organ made up of several pairs of muscles covered in a thin, bumpy,skin-like layer. The outside of the tongue contains many rough papillae for gripping food as it is moved by the tongue's muscle. The taste buds on the surface of the tongue detect taste information to the brain. The tongue also helps to push food toward the posterior part of the mouth for swallowing.