Lingual Papillae: Types, Structure, And Functions

Question 1. Types of papillae over the tongue
Answer:

Papillae over the tongue are:

Fungiform papillae

These are slightly mushroom shaped if looked at in longitudinal section.
These are present mostly at the dorsal surface of the tongue, as well as at the sides.
Innervated by facial nerve.

Foliate papillae

These are ridges and grooves towards the posterior part of the tongue found at the lateral borders.
Innervated by facial nerve (anterior papillae) and glossopharyngeal nerve (posterior papillae).

Circumvallate papillae

There are only about 10 to 14 of these papillae on most people, and they are present at the back of the oral part of the tongue.
They are arranged in a circularshaped row just in front of the sulcus terminalis of the tongue.
They are associated with ducts of Von Ebner’s glands, and are innervated by the glossopharyngeal
nerve.

Filiform papillae

Question 2. Foliate papillae
Answer:

Foliate papillae are short vertical folds and are present on each side of the tongue.
They are located on the sides at the back of the tongue, just in front of the palatoglossal arch of the fauces.
There are four or five vertical folds and their size and shape is variable.
The foliate papillae appear as a series of red colored, leaflike ridges of mucosa.
They are covered with epithelium, lack keratin and so are softer, and bear many taste buds.
They are usually bilaterally symmetrical.
Sometimes they appear small and inconspicuous, and at other times they are prominent.
Because their location is a high risk site for oral cancer, and their tendency to occasionally swell, they may
be mistaken as tumors or inflammatory disease.
Taste buds are scattered over the mucous membrane of their surface.
Serous glands drain into the folds and clean the taste buds.

Reader Interactions