Filiform papillae are the most numerous papillae, fine, cone-shaped and covered with keratin, giving the tongue its rough, whitish, velvety surface. They have no taste buds. Instead, they sense touch and texture and help grip food.
| Location | Throughout the dorsum of the anterior two-thirds of the tongue |
|---|---|
| Parts |
|
| Nerve Supply | Lingual nerve (CN V3, general sensation) |
| Blood Supply | Deep lingual artery |
Provide a rough surface for handling food and sense touch and texture; they do not detect taste.
Because they are keratinised, filiform papillae are where tongue coating builds up. Excessive elongation of the filiform papillae causes black or brown hairy tongue, linked to smoking, poor oral hygiene and antibiotics. Their loss is part of atrophic glossitis and geographic tongue.
Elongated, discoloured filiform papillae on the back of the tongue, linked to smoking, antibiotics and poor oral hygiene. It is harmless and improves with brushing the tongue.
Shifting patches where filiform papillae are lost, leaving smooth red areas with white borders.
This website uses cookies to enhance your experience. Some are essential for site functionality, while others help us analyze and improve your usage experience. Please review your options and make your choice.
If you are under 16 years old, please ensure that you have received consent from your parent or guardian for any non-essential cookies.
Your privacy is important to us. You can adjust your cookie settings at any time. For more information about how we use data, please read our privacy policy. You may change your preferences at any time by clicking on the settings button below.
Note that if you choose to disable some types of cookies, it may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer.
Some required resources have been blocked, which can affect third-party services and may cause the site to not function properly.
This website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience and ensure the site functions properly. By continuing to use this site, you acknowledge and accept our use of cookies.
