Question

Name different types of papillae present on the tongue of man.

Answer 1

• Papillae are the raised protrusions of the tongue surface on which taste buds of the tongue sit.
• The dorsal surface of the mammalian tongue is covered with four kinds of papillae, fungiform, circumvallate, foliate and filiform papilla.
• The filiform papillae don't have any taste buds.
• 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 the 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- they are present at the back of the oral part of the tongue and are innervated by the glossopharyngeal nerve.
• Filiform papillae- filiform papillae do not contain taste buds. They cover most of the front two-thirds of the tongue's surface.