SENSE OF TASTE. 



537 



third of the tongue. They are arranged in V shape, the apex 

 being backward. In these papillae are the taste-buds, and with 

 these the glossopharyngeal nerve is in communication. 



The conical papillae, so called from their conical-pointed epithe- 

 lial caps, are present throughout the rest of the lingual mucous 

 membrane. Some of these, filiform papillae (Fig. 315), possess 

 fine epithelial filaments in the cap. 



The fungiform papillae (Fig. 316) are larger than the conical 

 and scattered among them. They are highly vascular. 



Between the superficial lingual muscles are tubular glands, 

 whose ducts open on the surface. These are principally mucous 



Epithelium. 



Taste-buds. - 



Groove sur- . 

 rounding 

 papilla. 



& Ebner's 



gland. 



FIG. 314. Longitudinal section of a human circumvallate papilla ; X 20 (Bb'hm and 



Davidoff). 



glands ; but some are serous, glands of Ebner, and these latter 

 open into the fossae of the circumvallate papillae ; their secretion 

 is regarded by Ebner as assisting in the distribution of substances 

 to be tasted over the taste-area. 



Taste-buds (Fig. 317). These occur in both the circumvallate 

 and fungiform papillae, and also in the epithelium of the general 

 mucous membrane of the tongue, especially in that of the dorsum 

 and sides. They are also found on the under surface of the soft 

 palate and on the epiglottis. They are thus described by Schafer : 

 " The taste-buds are ovoid clusters of epithelium-cells which lie 

 in cavities in the stratified epithelium. The base of the taste-bud 

 rests upon the corium of the mucous membrane, and receives a 



