FILIFORM, FUNGIFORM PAPILLAE AND TASTE BUDS: DISTRIBUTION AND AGE CHANGES: A MICROSCOPIC STUDY

BACKGROUND The organs of taste consists of taste buds-caliculus or gemma gestatorius, located in the lingual papillae. The aim of this study was to note the number, distribution and age changes of fungiform and filiform papillae and taste buds. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study was conducted on 50 specimens of tongue collected from Department of Forensic Medicine and Labour Room, Medical College, Kozhikode. RESULTS In tip region, fungiform and filiform papillae were observed. The maximum number of 21 papillae per low power field was observed in a 13-week-old foetus. With increasing age, a reduction was noted in the number of papillae per low power field. Filiform papillae were first observed in a 27-week-old foetus and its number increased with age. The number of taste buds per fungiform ranged from 0-2. No significant age change was noted. Secondary papillae were first observed in filiform papillae at the age of 32 years. But in case of fungiform papilla, secondary papillae were present in younger age groups also and their number showed a mild increase with age, although not in all cases. CONCLUSIONS As age advances, there occurs a significant reduction in the number of fungiform papillae per low power field and a significant increase in the number of filiform papillae. Secondary papillae showed a significant positive correlation with age in case of filiform papillae. There was no significant age change in the number of taste buds.