Function of Tongue
The tongue is a muscular organ situated in the mouth that plays a vital role in various functions of the human body. Some of the essential functions of the tongue are:

1. Taste: The tongue has taste buds that help us to taste different flavors of food.

2. Speech: The tongue is crucial in forming sounds and producing speech.

3. Chewing and Swallowing: The tongue helps in chewing and breaking down the food into smaller pieces, which can be easily swallowed.

4. Cleaning: The tongue helps in cleaning the mouth by removing food particles and bacteria.

Salivary Glands and their Functions
Salivary glands are the small glands situated in the mouth that produce saliva. The saliva helps in various functions of the human body. Some of the essential functions of the salivary glands are:

1. Digestion: Saliva contains enzymes that help in breaking down the food.

2. Lubrication: Saliva helps in lubricating the mouth and making it easier to chew and swallow food.

3. Protection: Saliva contains antibodies that help in protecting the mouth from infections.

4. Taste: Saliva helps in dissolving the food particles, which can activate the taste buds present on the tongue.

How do the Salivary Glands Help us?
The salivary glands play a crucial role in the digestive system. When we eat food, the salivary glands produce saliva, which mixes with the food and helps in breaking it down. The enzymes present in the saliva start breaking down the carbohydrates in the food. The saliva also helps in lubricating the mouth, which makes it easier to chew and swallow the food. The antibodies present in the saliva help in protecting the mouth from infections. Moreover, the saliva also helps in dissolving the food particles, which can activate the taste buds present on the tongue. Therefore, the salivary glands play a significant role in maintaining the overall health of our mouth and digestive system.