Final answer:
The medical term for pertaining to the area under the tongue is 'sublingual', originating from Latin roots that mean 'under the tongue'.
Step-by-step explanation:
The medical term for pertaining to the area under the tongue is 'sublingual'. This term comes from Latin, where 'sub-' means 'under' and 'lingua' means 'tongue'. An example of its usage is in referencing the sublingual glands, which are located beneath the tongue and secrete saliva. These glands utilize lesser sublingual ducts to release saliva into the oral cavity. The flexibility and various adaptations of the tongue, such as the presence of papillae with taste buds and other receptors, play an essential role in chewing, swallowing, and speaking.