lábiostongue

lábiostongue is a concept in speculative biology and fantasy literature describing a membranous muscular organ at the lip–tongue interface. The name blends labio-, from the Latin labia meaning "lip," with stongue, a coined term for tongue-related tissue.

Anatomy and variation: In descriptions, the lábiostongue comprises a central muscular core surrounded by a mucosal pad. It is proposed to lie in the anterior oral vestibule near the labial sulcus, with innervation from branches of the trigeminal nerve and autonomic fibers that regulate salivary flow. The organ is said to be capable of rapid localized contractions and to modify lip tension and lip-tongue contact during speech and feeding.

Function: The lábiostongue is said to regulate lip pressure and tongue projection during specialized vocalizations, bilabial consonants, and labialized vowels, as well as to guide saliva and protect the teeth during feeding. In some depictions, it provides tactile feedback that complements taste receptors on the tongue.

History and reception: The concept appeared in speculative anatomy writings and fantasy glossaries, with the earliest named mention attributed to Dr. A. Merin in a 2045 fictional treatise. It has been used as a narrative device and in pedagogical exercises about organ naming; there is no evidence in real biology.