Traditionally, doctors and dentists have depended on the tongue to help them diagnose various diseases. And tongues do have a lot to say. For example, scarlet fever is accompanied by a spotted “strawberry” tongue.

Burning tongue, a very painful condition, affects primarily post-menopausal women and can reflect systemic problems.

Hairy leukoplakia is a common AIDS-related oral lesion. And candidiasis, a fungus infection which coats the tongue white, also says something is wrong.

Now you know why, when you’re asked to stick out your tongue and say…Ahhhhh…