Final answer:
The rear of the tongue is associated with various papillae containing taste buds, especially the circumvallate papillae, each equipped with about 250 taste receptors, connected via the glossopharyngeal nerve.
Step-by-step explanation:
The element associated with the rear of the tongue are taste buds present in various types of papillae. The rear part of the tongue is studded with different papillae, including fungiform, foliate, and circumvallate papillae, each containing numerous taste buds. Circumvallate papillae, situated at the back of the tongue in the shape of an inverted "V", each surrounded by a groove, are notable for containing about 250 taste buds. Furthermore, the glossopharyngeal nerve is responsible for connecting to taste buds in the posterior two-thirds of the tongue, which includes the area toward the rear.
Taste buds are collections of specialized gustatory receptor cells that respond to chemical stimuli dissolved in the saliva, activating sensory neurons that transmit the information to the brain. This process enables us to discern different taste sensations. Proper functioning of these elements allows for the complex sensory experience of taste and assists with speech.