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Histology of Tongue

The tongue has a dorsal surface lined by stratified squamous epithelium supported by connective tissue. The dorsal surface contains lingual papillae including filiform, fungiform, circumvallate, and foliate papillae. Filiform papillae are numerous and conical with highly keratinized epithelium. Fungiform papillae are mushroom shaped and contain taste buds. Circumvallate papillae are the largest and also contain many taste buds. The tongue epithelium rests on connective tissue connected to underlying muscles that provide mobility.

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Huzaifa Chauhan
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96 views17 pages

Histology of Tongue

The tongue has a dorsal surface lined by stratified squamous epithelium supported by connective tissue. The dorsal surface contains lingual papillae including filiform, fungiform, circumvallate, and foliate papillae. Filiform papillae are numerous and conical with highly keratinized epithelium. Fungiform papillae are mushroom shaped and contain taste buds. Circumvallate papillae are the largest and also contain many taste buds. The tongue epithelium rests on connective tissue connected to underlying muscles that provide mobility.

Uploaded by

Huzaifa Chauhan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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HISTOLOGY OF TONGUE

The tongue lies on the floor of the oral cavity


It has a dorsal surface that is free; and a ventral
surface
The suface is lined by stratified squamous
epithelium.
The epithelium is supported by connective tissue
The dorsal surface of the oral part has a characteristic
appearance due to the presence of a large number of
small projections, the lingual papillae
The lingual papillae consist of a connective tissue core
covered with a stratified squamous epithelium. On the
basis of their appearance four types of papillae can be
distinguished - filiform, fungiform, circumvallate and
foliate papillae.
Each papilla consists of epithelium lining and
connective tissue. The epithelium is partly
keratinized
Filiform papillaeare the smallest and
Most numerous papillae. By providing the
tongue with a rough surface they aid
in the manipulation and processing
of foods. They are conical, elongated
projections of connective tissue that
are covered with highly keratinized
stratified squamous epithelium
Fungiform papillae are mushroom-
shaped projections. The epithelium is
slightly thinner than on the remaining
surface of the tongue. Taste buds are
present in the stratified squamous epithelium
on the dorsal surface of these papillae.
Circumvallate papillae are the largest
and least numerous papillae . They
are arranged just anterior to sulcus
terminalis.In humans there are
between 8 and 12 of them.
Each papilla is lined with stratified
squamous epithelium that contains
numerous taste buds . Taste buds are
particularly numerous on the lateral
surfaces of these papillae
The epithelium of the dorsal surface of the tongue
rests on a fairly dense layer of connective tissue, which
connects the epithelium firmly with the underlying
muscular and connective tissues
The muscles of the tongue (skeletal muscle) are
supported by connective tissue. The muscles are
arranged in bundles that run in vertcal, transverse and
longitudinal directions. Their actions provide the
tongue with the necessary motility to participate in the
formation of speech and to aid in the initial processing
of foods.
Filiform papillae of the tongue have keratinized tips
which form in the same way as epidermis.  Cells
accumulate keratohyalin, which hardens into keratin
as the cells die.  But rather than occuring uniformly
over the entire surface (as on skin), on the tongue
keratinization occurs in many tiny, separate patches,
each of which creates one papilla.
FILIFORM PAPILLAE
OF THE TONGUE
  1 - epithelium covering
papilla (stratified
squamous keratinizing)

2 - keratinized layer of
the epithelium

3 - core of the papilla


(lamina propria of the
mucosa of dorsal surface
of the tongue)

4 - tongue muscles
This histology
slide of the
tongue is at
high
magnification.
The stratified
squamous
epithelium is
prominent on
this histology
slide.
The bulk of
the tongue 
consists
of striated
muscle
fibers arranged
in bundles
This section
illustrates the
general organisation
of the tongue. Taste
buds will be rare, if
present at all, in this
section. Examine
the tissue and have
a close look at the
small salivary
glands located in the
connective tissue of
the tongue
Taste buds
Taste buds are
present on
fungiform, foliate,
and circumvallate
papillae.
Von Ebner's
glands.
Von Ebner's
glands are exocrine
glands found in the
mouth. More
specifically, they
are serous salivary
glands.  they
secrete lingual
lipase, beginning the
process of lipid
hydrolysis in the
mouth
At low power, the
normal tongue has an
overlying squamous
epithelium beneath
which is a lamina
propria. The bulk of
the tongue is
composed
of skeletal muscle.
Scattered throughout
the tongue, but more
prominent toward the
back of the tongue,
are minor salivary
glands.

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