The spelling of the word "ball tongue" can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The first syllable, "ball," is pronounced as /bɒl/, with the vowel sound represented by the symbol ɒ. The second syllable, "tongue," is pronounced as /tʌŋ/, with the vowel sound represented by the symbol ʌ. The final /g/ sound is pronounced as a soft "ng" sound, similar to the word "sing." The combined pronunciation is /bɒltʌŋ/, with the stress on the second syllable.
A smooth t., with indistinct papillae, observed in pernicious anemia.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.