The mesh tool

Im doing some icons for a website that Im designing, and I have some problems with the mesh tool in Illustrator CS. Mainy my mesh lines get very distorted when I apply them to my shape. Now, Im guessing that’s because of the ‘wierd’ shape that Im applying to, if so, how can I prevent it?
Basicly I want to make a somewhat 3D-ish look of a tounge.

Here’s what I get when I apply a patch to the mesh:
http://www.wgtour.com/bohner/illustrator/crook.png

And here’s the ai if anyone could so kind to point me in the right direction:
http://www.wgtour.com/bohner/illustrator/tounge.rar

Thank you.