A molar tooth is located in the posterior (back) section of the mouth. It is found in most mammals that use their posterior teeth to grind food. Twelve molars are usually present in an adult human, in groups of three. These teeth are typically larger than the premolars and have a larger surface area to in order to chew and grind food into easily digestible bits.

These teeth are divided into mandibular and maxillary molars, which are located in the lower and upper jaws, respectively. In the four groups of molars, the third one in each group is known as the wisdom tooth. This is generally the final tooth to erupt at an average age of eighteen to twenty but this may occur at different ages in some individuals. Some adults may have more than four wisdom teeth, which are known as supernumerary teeth.

But in nearly one-third of all humans, the wisdom teeth may not appear at all.

A molar is considered the most complicated type of tooth in humans. Extraction (removal) of this tooth is a complex process of dentistry and may be more painful than other teeth extractions.

Tongue
The tongue is unique in that it is the only muscle that isn’t connected to bone at both ends. It is connected on one end to the hyoid bone, which is also unique as it is the only bone not connected to any other bone in the body.

The tongue’s primary physiologic function is gustatory sensation (tasting) and aiding in mastication (chewing). It also helps with speech and sound formation.

The tongue is made up of a number of individual muscles that aid in positioning it while chewing or speaking. The upper ‘skin’ surface of the tongue contains the taste buds. The average person has between 2,000 and 8,000 taste buds on their tongue but this number varies widely. Taste buds cover the surface of small, nipple-like projections called, papillae, which are easily visible.

The tongue is unique in that it is the only muscle that isn’t connected to bone at both ends. It is connected on one end to the hyoid bone, which is also unique as it is the only bone not connected to any other bone in the body.

The tongue’s primary physiologic function is gustatory sensation (tasting) and aiding in mastication (chewing). It also helps with speech and sound formation.

The tongue is made up of a number of individual muscles that aid in positioning it while chewing or speaking. The upper ‘skin’ surface of the tongue contains the taste buds. The average person has between 2,000 and 8,000 taste buds on their tongue but this number varies widely. Taste buds cover the surface of small, nipple-like projections called, papillae, which are easily visible.

There are a number of problems that can develop with the tongue. These include:

Nerve damage that inhibits tongue movement and can make speaking and chewing difficult
Taste abnormalities caused by damage to the taste buds from infection or injuries, such as burns
Pain in the tongue that can be caused by mouth ulcers, anemia, or even mouth cancer

 

Teeth
The typical adult mouth has 32 teeth: eight incisors, four canines, eight premolars, and 12 molars (including four wisdom teeth). The canines, also called cuspid or eye-teeth, are the longest teeth, located in the corners of the mouth.

Canines are the most stable teeth, and are specially modified to tear food easily. While some other animals — like wild boars and walrus — have exaggerated canines, humans’ are only slightly pronounced. Although our canines are not particularly large, humans have retained an oversized canine root, which causes a bulge in the upper jaw that supports the corner of the lip.

The maxillary canines (located in the upper jaw, just behind the front teeth) are the second most commonly impacted teeth, a condition in which the tooth does not fully break through the gum. This occurs in about one to two percent of the population. If an impacted tooth is problematic, removal is the most common treatment.