Lingual papillae are the small projections that give the top of the tongue its rough, velvety texture. There are four types: filiform, fungiform, foliate and circumvallate. All except the filiform papillae carry taste buds.
| Location | Dorsum and sides of the oral (anterior two-thirds) part of the tongue |
|---|---|
| Parts | |
| Nerve Supply | Lingual nerve (CN V3, general sensation); Chorda tympani (CN VII, taste); Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX, taste and sensation) |
| Blood Supply | Lingual artery |
Increase the surface area and grip of the tongue, help move food, and carry most of the taste buds.
The pattern of papillae is a useful clinical sign. Loss of papillae gives a smooth, red tongue in iron, B12 or folate deficiency (atrophic glossitis). Overgrown filiform papillae can cause black hairy tongue. Patchy loss of papillae that shifts over time is geographic tongue, which is harmless.
Loss of the papillae giving a smooth, sore, red tongue, often from iron, vitamin B12 or folate deficiency.
Benign, migrating patches where filiform papillae are lost, giving a map-like appearance; sometimes sore with spicy food.
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