Foliate papilla

Foliate papillae are one of the four types of lingual papillae present on the surface of the tongue. They are located on the sides of the tongue, and are named for their leaf-like shape. Foliate papillae are involved in the perception of taste, and contain taste buds.

Structure

Foliate papillae are small, leaf-shaped protrusions on the sides of the tongue. They are one of the four types of lingual papillae, along with fungiform papillae, filiform papillae, and circumvallate papillae. Each foliate papilla contains several taste buds, which are responsible for detecting different tastes.

Function

The primary function of foliate papillae is taste perception. They contain taste buds, which are sensitive to the five basic tastes: sweet, sour, bitter, salty, and umami. The taste buds in foliate papillae are especially sensitive to sour and salty tastes.

Clinical significance

Changes in the appearance or number of foliate papillae can be a sign of certain medical conditions. For example, an increase in the number of foliate papillae can be a sign of glossitis, an inflammation of the tongue. Conversely, a decrease in the number of foliate papillae can be a sign of nutritional deficiencies or oral cancer.

See also

• Taste bud
• Lingual papillae
• Tongue