Naked Science Forum
Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: Geezer on 25/05/2011 07:00:33
-
When I rotate the tip of my tongue through ninety degrees and touch it against the indside of my front teeth, my senses tell me that my teeth are horizontal!
Is this a common problem? How quickly should I consult a doctor?
-
When I rotate the tip of my tongue through ninety degrees
Is this with or without surgery? I cannot rotate my tongue at all - if I am understanding rotate correctly (ie twisting about the longer axis).
-
When I rotate the tip of my tongue through ninety degrees
Is this with or without surgery? I cannot rotate my tongue at all - if I am understanding rotate correctly (ie twisting about the longer axis).
No, I have not had any surgery, and yes, twisting about the longer axis.
Are you sure you can't twist your tongue? Try repeating;
"She sells sea shells on the sea shore"
ten times, quickly.
-
There are essentially two types of tongues.
I believe that most people can roll their tongues essentially into a tube, like to hold a pencil.
However, a fraction of the people can't.
I did know a guy once that could wiggle his teeth with his tongue... A LOT. Perhaps all the way to the horizontal position.
-
If your keep your tongue in the abnormal position long enough your brain should adapt ...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perceptual_adaptation#Experimental_support
http://www.madsci.org/posts/archives/1997-03/858984531.Ns.r.html
[BTW I tried the tounge rotation thing but I don't get the false perception,
I just looked like last place in a gurning competition, 1st place here (http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=14925.msg177619#msg177619) (before you ask it's the one on the left) ]
-
Yes, I can do the tube thing with mine. I can rotate the tip through at least 120° in either direction too. I would put a video on Youtube, but it's not the prettiest thing to look at!
-
Hi Geezer - brilliant observation - my rotated tongue thinks my teeth are sideways too!
Chris
-
Ok - so I am the weirdo who cannot rotate his tongue (I was assuming it was Geezer who was unusual cos he could)
Anyone have any ideas about ratios of population can do this, or the ratio of throwbacks like me that cannot.
-
Here is an article about rolling the tongue.
http://udel.edu/~mcdonald/mythtongueroll.html
I would assume the rotating the tongue would be related.
What was interesting is that with the twin studies, that both twins weren't identical with the abilities. Also indications that some people can develop the ability over time. So, it apparently has genetic influences, developmental influences, and practice influences. Perhaps also multiple genes are involved.
-
I can roll my tongue - but I spent an unfruitful half hour trying to get the plane of my tongue to vary consciously at all. Only way I can twist my tongue is by pushing it hard against my teeth and almost bitting down on one edge - needless to say I cannot feel the direction of my teeth in this pose (and I look sillier than usual)
-
There are essentially two types of tongues.
I believe that most people can roll their tongues essentially into a tube, like to hold a pencil.
However, a fraction of the people can't.
I did know a guy once that could wiggle his teeth with his tongue... A LOT. Perhaps all the way to the horizontal position.
Yup I am one of the few that cannot, but all my kids can! [:)]
However I can wiggle my ears, flare my nostrils and raise eyebrows alternately.
Wow I am such a catch.... [:-[]