Oral Cavity - LO 6

6. Describe the various papillae of the tongue.

The lingual papillae consist of four types (from anterior to posterior):

• • Filiform papillae are small, conical eruptions covering the dorsal anterior two-thirds of the tongue. Filiform papillae are not associated with taste buds, but rather are important for the tactile sensation and manipulation of food items.

  • Fungiform papillae are moderately sized, mushroom-shaped eruptions interspersed throughout the filiform papillae. Fungiform papillae host taste buds innervated by the axons from chorda tympani (facial n.) by way of the lingual n. (V3).

  • Foliate papillae are found in trenches on the lateral margins of the tongue. Taste buds associated with foliate papillae are in greatest density during childhood, and often diminish with age.

  • Vallate papillae (sometimes referred to as circumvallate papillae) are located on the posteriormost border of the oral part of the dorsal tongue, just anterior to the terminal sulci and foramen caecum. These papillae are the largest of the lingual papillae. Vallate papillae host taste buds innervated by the axons from the glossopharyngeal n. (CN IX), even though they lie on the presulcal side of the tongue.