Question:easy
Identify the papillae of the tongue shown in the histology image below (round-shaped papilla with surrounding moat/trench).
Identify the papillae of the tongue shown in the histology image below (round-shaped papilla with surrounding moat/trench).
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Look for the characteristic surrounding trench/moat and the associated serous Ebner glands in the histology slide to identify this large papilla.
Updated On: Jun 23, 2026
- Circumvallate
- Fungiform
- Filiform
- Foliate
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The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Image description: The histology slide shows a large round papilla surrounded by a deep groove (moat/trench). This is the hallmark of circumvallate (vallate) papillae.
Comparison of tongue papillae:
- Circumvallate: round, with surrounding trench; Ebner glands open into trench; taste buds in lateral walls; arranged in V at junction of anterior 2/3 and posterior 1/3; 8-12 in number; largest papillae
- Fungiform: mushroom-shaped; taste buds on top surface; no surrounding trench
- Filiform: cone/thread-shaped; most numerous; no taste buds; mechanical function only
- Foliate: club/leaf-shaped; lateral margins of tongue; parallel folds; rudimentary in adults
Memory aid:
- Circumvallate = "wall" surrounds it (vallum = wall in Latin) -- the surrounding moat
- Fungiform = fungus/mushroom shaped
- Filiform = filament/thread shaped (fil = thread)
- Foliate = leaf shaped (folia = leaf)
The round papilla with a surrounding trench and Ebner glands (serous) at the base = circumvallate papilla. \[\boxed{\text{Circumvallate papilla}}\]
Comparison of tongue papillae:
- Circumvallate: round, with surrounding trench; Ebner glands open into trench; taste buds in lateral walls; arranged in V at junction of anterior 2/3 and posterior 1/3; 8-12 in number; largest papillae
- Fungiform: mushroom-shaped; taste buds on top surface; no surrounding trench
- Filiform: cone/thread-shaped; most numerous; no taste buds; mechanical function only
- Foliate: club/leaf-shaped; lateral margins of tongue; parallel folds; rudimentary in adults
Memory aid:
- Circumvallate = "wall" surrounds it (vallum = wall in Latin) -- the surrounding moat
- Fungiform = fungus/mushroom shaped
- Filiform = filament/thread shaped (fil = thread)
- Foliate = leaf shaped (folia = leaf)
The round papilla with a surrounding trench and Ebner glands (serous) at the base = circumvallate papilla. \[\boxed{\text{Circumvallate papilla}}\]
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