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Related Concept Videos

The Tongue and Taste Buds00:49

The Tongue and Taste Buds

The surface of the tongue is covered with various small bumps called papillae, which either distribute what has been ingested (filiform papillae) or contain the sensory taste (or gustatory) receptor cells (fungiform, circumvallate, and foliate papillae). Embedded within each taste-related papilla are the taste buds—clusters of 30 to 100 gustatory receptor cells.
Taste Buds and Receptors01:20

Taste Buds and Receptors

Gustation, or the sense of taste, is intrinsically linked to the anatomical structures located on the tongue. This organ's surface, along with the entirety of the oral cavity, is adorned with stratified squamous epithelium. Evident on the tongue are elevated structures known as papillae (singular = papilla), which house the mechanisms for the transduction of gustatory stimuli. Four distinct types of papillae exist, each identified by their unique morphological attributes: the circumvallate,...
Papillary Dermis01:11

Papillary Dermis

Dermis
The dermis might be considered the "core" of the integumentary system, as distinct from the epidermis and hypodermis. It contains blood and lymph vessels, nerves, and other structures, such as hair follicles and sweat glands. The dermis is made of two layers of connective tissue that comprise an interconnected mesh of elastin and collagenous fibers, produced by fibroblasts.
Papillary Layer
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Changes in the Appendicular Skeleton with Age01:09

Changes in the Appendicular Skeleton with Age

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Teeth01:15

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Notch Signaling Pathway03:14

Notch Signaling Pathway

The Notch signaling pathway is a major intracellular signaling pathway that is highly conserved over a broad spectrum of metazoan species. It stands unique from other intracellular signaling mechanisms in animals because notch protein itself acts as the receptor as well as the primary signaling molecule.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 11, 2026

Denver Papillae Protocol for Objective Analysis of Fungiform Papillae
10:50

Denver Papillae Protocol for Objective Analysis of Fungiform Papillae

Published on: June 8, 2015

Changes in fungiform papillae density during development in humans.

Maryam Correa1, Ian Hutchinson, David G Laing

  • 1Children's Food Research and Education Unit, Centre for Advanced Food Research, College of Science and Technology and Environment, University of Western Sydney, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith South, NSW 1797, Australia.

Chemical Senses
|May 28, 2013
PubMed
Summary

The number and distribution of fungiform papillae (FP) stabilize by age 11-12, aligning with the cessation of anterior tongue growth. This indicates adult taste function is established around this age.

Keywords:
adults and childrengustatory developmentpapillae density predictorstongue

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Technique to Collect Fungiform (Taste) Papillae from Human Tongue
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Last Updated: May 11, 2026

Denver Papillae Protocol for Objective Analysis of Fungiform Papillae
10:50

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Measuring Oral Fatty Acid Thresholds, Fat Perception, Fatty Food Liking, and Papillae Density in Humans
10:29

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Technique to Collect Fungiform (Taste) Papillae from Human Tongue
09:39

Technique to Collect Fungiform (Taste) Papillae from Human Tongue

Published on: September 18, 2010

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Biology
  • Sensory Science
  • Human Anatomy

Background:

  • The anterior tongue stops growing between 8-10 years, and the posterior region between 15-16 years.
  • Understanding the maturation of the human sense of taste is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if fungiform papillae (FP) number and distribution stabilize with anterior tongue growth cessation.
  • To determine if a subset of papillae can predict total FP count.
  • To establish when human taste function achieves adult capabilities.

Main Methods:

  • Photographic analysis of FP using a digital camera.
  • Study included 30 adults and 85 children aged 7-12 years.
  • Statistical analysis to correlate FP characteristics with age groups.

Main Results:

  • FP number stabilized by 9-10 years of age.
  • FP distribution and growth stabilized by 11-12 years of age.
  • Specific FP subpopulations accurately predicted total papillae density in different age groups.

Conclusions:

  • Fungiform papillae population, size, and distribution stabilize by 11-12 years.
  • This stabilization closely coincides with the cessation of anterior tongue growth.
  • Taste function likely matures to adult levels by this age.