To see examples of filiform papillae, click here. The remaining types of lingual papillae are sensory in function. A vallate papilla is present on slide 1210. This type of papilla is set into a deep pocket in the tongue's surface, and anchored at the bottom by a short broad stalk. It does not protrude above the general level of the surface.
Vallate papillae are the largest type, easily visible with the naked eye in most animals.
They are paired and located near the back of the tongue. To see a vallate papilla, click here. Vallate papillae usually show taste buds . The taste buds are well defined, lightly staining areas which enclose several banana shaped sensory cells. Taste buds are discrete and well encapsulated by CT, which can be demonstrated with special stains.