Lie bumps, also known as lingual papillae, are small fleshy bumps on the tongue. They are the visible part of taste buds, the tiny organs that allow us to taste food. It is thought that lie bumps occur when small fleshy papillae on the tongue become irritated. The papillae are where the taste buds are, and when they get irritated, they may swell and form bumps.
Lie bumps can be found on any area of your tongue but are most common along its center. They’re also more likely to be visible when you’ve just had a cold or a sore throat because these conditions can cause dryness in your mouth and lead to irritation of the mucous membranes in your throat and mouth.