This tongue contracts and cannot extend. It is a sign of a fatal case. (A "short" tongue can still extend)This tongue contracts and cannot extend. It is a sign of a fatal case. (A "short" tongue can still extend)Curving The patient sticks the tongue out and moves it up and down, left and right, or in and out. It indicates pathogenic heat in the Heart or Spleen. endogenous pathogenic wind, or mal-developed infantile intelligence toxic petilential factor attacking the Heart Licking out > in in > out This tongue is short and contracted, unable to protrude out of the mouth. It indicates a critical condition. damp-phlegm accumulationplump and greasy body fluids impaired by heat causing spasm of the tongue muscles cold causes spasmodic contraction of the tongue Short pale and moist red and dry The tongue that points to one side while protruding is called the deviated tongue. It indicates an obstruction in the channels and collaterals of either wind, phlegm, or both. Blood deficiency gives rise to internal wind Liver-wind attack Deviated red body, acute onset pale