The common cold, inhaled irritants, and certain allergens cause rhinitis, an inflammatory response in the mucosal lining, resulting in a watery discharge, nasal congestion, and difficulty breathing. Antihistamines and decongestants shrink and dry the swollen mucous membranes. The human tongue is a mass of skeletal muscle covered by a mucous membrane. It is the primary site of the taste buds, is an essential part of speech production, and is used in chewing and swallowing. The anterior section contains papillae, which house the taste buds.
Filiform papillae are long and thin, and fungiform papillae are shaped like mushroom caps.
Circumvallate papillae are flattened structures found in front of the root, which is covered by the lingual tonsils. The tongue is a muscular organ found in the mouth of most vertebrates. The hard tongue of the woodpecker is used to probe inside holes the bird has created. In mammals the tongue helps in chewing, tasting, and swallowing, as well as other uses such as grooming and capturing prey. The human tongue provides the sense of taste and assists in chewing, swallowing, and most important, speaking.