The tongue is a muscular organ that contains structures that assist in speech, positioning of food in the oral cavity, providing the sensation of taste, digestion (minor salivary glands), and immune response (lingual tonsil). The dorsal surface of the tongue is lined by partially keratinized oral mucosa containing numerous papillae (filiform, fungiform, foliate, and circumvallate) that have mechanical and sensory functions. The thick skeletal muscle of the tongue is arranged in three planes, allowing for precise movements.

• Examine the images at the right and sections of the tongue (sample 1, sample 2), and identify filiform and fungiform papillae on the dorsal surface.

• In the images below and on this section of tongue, look for a circumvallate papilla. Identify taste buds on the lateral surface and the serous von Ebner's glands associated with circumvallate papillae.
   

Let's take a look at the salivary glands.