Tongue

Function: swallowing, digestion, and speech.

Specialized mucosa (mucous membrane) of the dorsal surface

Function: contain for types of papillae (filiform, fungiform, circumvallate and foliate)

Composition: stratified squamous nonkeratinizing epithelium and lamina propria (loose connective tissue).

muscle layer

Composition: striated skeletal muscle fibers that run in three planes and adipose tissue.

aponeurosis

Composition: reticular layer of collagen and elastic fibers.

submucosa

Composition: loose connective tissue.

mucosa (mucous membrane) of the ventral surface

Composition: lamina propria (loose connective tissue) and stratified squamous nonkeratinizing epithelium.

TASTE BULB

Function: reaction to four stimuli: sweet, salty, bitter, acid.

Location: fungiform, foliate, circumvallate papillae.

Composition:

neuroepithelial cells

Function: sensory cells.

supporting cells.
basal cells.

LINGUAL TONSILS

Function: guard for infective agents.

Location: lamina propria of the root or base of tongue

Composition:

Crypts lining by stratified squamous nonkeratinizing epithelium infiltrated with small lymphocytes.

Lymphatic nodules {Im/ nodule.html} with or without germinal centers.

LINGVAL SALIVARY GLANDS

Function: see MINOR SALIVARY GLANDS

serous glands (simple branched tubular)

Location: foliate papillae, between circumvallate papillae.

mucous glands (simple branched tubuloacinar)

Location: root of tongue, lingual tonsils.