Tongue splitting 251007 224182281 2008-07-07T18:21:17Z 68.173.255.251 /* Process */ {{For|animals with natural splitting|Forked tongue}} [[Image:Tongue-split.jpg|thumb|A woman's split tongue]] '''Tongue bifurcation''', or '''tongue splitting''', is a type of [[body modification]] in which the [[tongue]] is cut centrally from its tip part of the way towards its base, forking the end. In addition to being covered under laws prohibiting the unlicensed practice of medicine, tongue splitting is now explicitly illegal in some U.S. states and banned in the U.S. military.{{Fact|date=April 2007}} Thus, by necessity, it is an [[Underground culture|underground]] practice. The issue of tongue splitting has also divided bioethicists.<ref> Appel, Jacob M. In Defense of Tongue Splitting, Journal of Clinical Ethics, Fall 2005. Pp. 236-8. </ref> ==Process== In most cases, the split is created through scalpeling or surgical laser. To achieve a more rounded and natural look, the upper and lower part of the cutting area in both halves are often sutured together with stitches during the healing process. This prevents sharp, unnatural looking edges on the new "tongues" which would otherwise occur. Before splitting, some have a relatively thick tongue piercing where the base of the split is supposed to be, and wait till this is fully healed before going through the procedure, but the stretched piercing location will usually result in a visually different tissue than the sutured area. Tongue bifurcation is, however, not necessarily a surgical procedure. Self modifiers often choose to achieve a split by gradually tightening nylon bindings inserted through an existing [[tongue piercing]] over a long period of time. This method is long, arduous, and requires a high pain tolerance.<ref>http://www.ishiboo.com/~nirva/Mods/tonguesplit/ A tongue splitting experience</ref> ==See also== * [[Forked tongue]] * [[The Lizardman]] ==References== {{reflist}} {{Refimprove|date=April 2007}} [[Category:Body modification]] [[es:Lengua bífida]] [[bg:Бифуркация (анатомия)]] [[de:Zungenspaltung]] [[fr:Tongue split]]