Final answer:
Fungiform papillae, which are mushroom-shaped and contain taste buds, are the type of papillae most concentrated at the tip and sides of the tongue.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of lingual papillae most concentrated at the tip and sides of the tongue are fungiform papillae. These papillae are mushroom-shaped and are responsible for housing taste buds that detect the flavors of food. In contrast, filiform papillae, which are long and thin, are covered in stratified squamous epithelium and help the tongue move food around in the mouth because of their abrasive surface, akin to a cat's tongue used for grooming.
Fungiform papillae are found across a large area of the tongue, but they are smaller on the tip and sides, while larger toward the rear. Other types of papillae include foliate papillae located along the edges and toward the back of the tongue, and circumvallate papillae, which are found in an inverted "V" at the back of the tongue. Each has its unique role in gustation and the mechanical aspects of food processing.