Why is the tongue often considered a muscle with exceptional strength endurance?

• A. It is the largest muscle in the human body.
• B. It performs continuous, repetitive movements throughout the day without tiring.
• C. It contains more mitochondria than any other muscle.
• D. It is composed of smooth muscle fibers that never fatigue.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the anatomy of the tongue: The tongue is primarily composed of skeletal muscle fibers, not smooth muscle fibers. Skeletal muscles are voluntary muscles, meaning they are under conscious control, and they are capable of performing repetitive movements.
2. Analyze the function of the tongue: The tongue is involved in various activities such as speaking, chewing, swallowing, and maintaining oral hygiene. These activities require continuous, repetitive movements throughout the day.
3. Consider the endurance of the tongue: The tongue's ability to perform these movements without tiring is due to its rich blood supply and high density of mitochondria in its muscle cells. Mitochondria are responsible for producing energy (ATP) through cellular respiration, which supports sustained activity.
4. Clarify the misconception about size: The tongue is not the largest muscle in the human body. The largest muscle is the gluteus maximus, located in the buttocks. The tongue's strength endurance is not related to its size but to its functional design and energy production capabilities.
5. Conclude with the correct answer: The tongue is considered a muscle with exceptional strength endurance because it performs continuous, repetitive movements throughout the day without tiring, supported by its structural and metabolic adaptations.