Final answer:
Filiform papillae The most abundant type of lingual papillae on the human tongue are the filiform papillae, which are crucial for the mechanical processing of food.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of lingual papillae that is most abundant on the human tongue are the filiform papillae. Unlike fungiform, foliate, or vallate papillae, filiform papillae do not contain taste buds but are abundant in touch receptors. These are long, thin structures that cover the majority of the tongue's surface and are crucial for the mechanical aspect of processing food in the mouth. They create an abrasive surface that helps in the movement of food particles, aiding in swallowing and the initial breakdown of food mechanically similar to a cat's rough tongue which is used for grooming. While other types of papillae such as fungiform and vallate contain taste buds and are important for the gustatory system, the filiform papillae are most numerous and are responsible for the tongue's texture.