Plate 10.178 Tongue

Ronald A. Bergman, Ph.D., Adel K. Afifi, M.D., Paul M. Heidger, Jr., Ph.D.
Peer Review Status: Externally Peer Reviewed

Fungiform papillae: Mushroom-like. Larger but much less frequent than filiform papillae. Has a stratified squamous non-cornified epithelial covering and a highly vascularized connective tissue core giving it a red hue in the living state. Although not seen here, the epithelium may contain taste buds. Small secondary papillae are formed beneath the superficial epithelial cover of the primary connective tissue papillae.

Filiform papillae: Threadlike. Smaller and much more numerous than the fungiform variety. Epithelial lining is keratinized stratified squamous and is devoid of taste buds. Thin connective tissue core.

Nerve fibers: Thinly myelinated sensory fibers that arborize under the epithelium.

Fat cells: Part of the fatty (adipose) tissue underlying the lamina propria.

Collagenous connective tissue: A fibrofatty connective tissue, which forms a bed for glands and skeletal muscle fibers and serves to anchor them.

Serous gland acini: Mixed serous and mucous glands are scattered among the connective tissue and muscle fascicles in the anterior two thirds of the tongue close to its ventral surface. Their ducts open onto the ventral surface of the tongue.

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