Where is an oral temperature typically taken?

An oral temperature is typically taken under the tongue because this location allows for a close approximation of the body's internal temperature. The area under the tongue has a rich supply of blood vessels, which helps provide an accurate reading of the core body temperature. This method is widely used as it's non-invasive, efficient, and relatively comfortable for the patient. Other methods, such as taking temperatures rectally or in the armpit, can provide different readings, often influenced by environmental factors or tissue temperature, whereas the oral method is thought to give a more precise indicator of the body's thermal state.