Classification of Vallate Papillae Based upon Morphology and Other Associated Anatomical Features

Abstract

The vallate papillae, commonly referred to as circumvallate papillae, are lingual papillae located at the posterior dorsum of the tongue, which form a V‐shaped row immediately anterior to the sulcus terminalis. As the name suggests, vallate papillae are normally surrounded by a vallum, a small mound of tissues, which creates a sulcus (or trench) around the papilla. The inner surface of the vallum houses approximately half of the taste buds located within the tongue. Therefore, vallate papillae are important anatomical structures in gustation; however, little data exists regarding the gross morphology of the vallate papillae. In this study, 103 human cadaveric tongues were dissected at West Virginia University, with approval of the West Virginia Anatomical Board, to identify and photograph individual vallate papillae. A total of 1,069 individual vallate papillae were identified and characterized into thirteen separate categories, based upon their morphology and associated anatomical features. Categorization was largely based upon the presence of a vallum (691 of 1069; 64.6%), and whether the vallum fully encompassed the papilla or partly encompassed the papilla. Other categorization included whether the papilla itself was fully formed or segmented. The results of this study demonstrate a wide variety of morphological categories of vallate papillae. Because vallate papillae are important in gustation, the anatomical differences may partly explain physiological differences in taste function.Support or Funding InformationResearch by Holmes JS and Rickards AA funded by the WVU Initiation to Research Opportunities (INTRO) Summer Research program. Research by Russell ML, Bliss KN, Lynch HL, and Ganoe MR funded by WV Research Challenge Fund [HEPC.dsr.14.13].