What are the upper surfaces of the tongue referred to as?

The upper surfaces of the tongue are referred to as the dorsal surface. This terminology is derived from anatomical language, where "dorsal" pertains to the back or upper side of an organism. In the case of the tongue, the dorsal surface is the part that faces upwards when the mouth is closed, which is also where the majority of taste buds and papillae are located. This surface plays a crucial role in the functions of tasting and manipulating food during mastication.

The ventral surface, on the other hand, refers to the underside of the tongue, which is smooth and oriented toward the floor of the mouth. The lateral surfaces are the sides of the tongue, while the inferior surface is synonymous with the ventral surface, which is not relevant when discussing the upper part of the tongue.