Filiform papilla

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Filiform papilla
A filiform papilla. Magnified.
Semidiagrammatic view of a portion of the mucous membrane of the tongue. Two fungiform papillae are shown. On some of the filiform papillae the epithelial prolongations stand erect, in one they are spread out, and in three they are folded in.
Latin papillae filiformes
Gray's subject #242 1127
Dorlands/Elsevier p_03/12610368

The filiform papillae are thin, long papillae "V"-shaped cones that don't contain taste buds but are the most numerous. These papillae are mechanical and not involved in gustation covering most of the dorsal (top). Characterized increased keratinization. papillae (projections)

They are small and arranged in lines parallel to the V-shaped row of circumvallate papillae, except at the tip of the tongue where they are aligned transversely.

Close-up view of a tongue with visible fungiform papillae (large bumps) scattered among filiform papillae (small bumps).
Close-up view of a tongue with visible fungiform papillae (large bumps) scattered among filiform papillae (small bumps).

Projecting from their apices are numerous filamentous processes, or secondary papillae. These are of a whitish tint, owing to the thickness and density of the epithelium of which they are composed. This epithelium has undergone a peculiar modification as the cells have become cornified and elongated into dense, imbricated, brush-like processes.

They contain also a number of elastic fibers, which render them firmer and more elastic than the papillae of mucous membrane generally.

The larger and longer papillae of this group are sometimes termed papillae conicae.

Fungiform papillae are found dispersed throughout the filiform papillae.


[edit] See also

This article was originally based on an entry from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy. As such, some of the information contained herein may be outdated. Please edit the article if this is the case, and feel free to remove this notice when it is no longer relevant.