Oral Histology - Oral Mucous Membrane Fig.
Specialized mucosa covers the dorsal surface of the tongue.
The epithelium of the tongue is a stratified squamous, keratinized epithelium, but its surface configuration is unusual. Filiform papillae project from the surface in keratinized points, and their cores are occupied by connective tissue papillae. These structures account for the general roughness of the surface of the tongue.