Final answer:
The sides of the tongue are associated with foliate papillae, which contain taste buds for detecting chemical stimuli in food and contribute to the sense of taste.
Step-by-step explanation:
The element associated with the sides of the tongue refers to the foliate papillae, which are leaf-like structures with taste buds that detect chemical stimuli in food. These papillae are found in parallel folds along the edges of the tongue. Along with the foliate papillae, there are also fungiform papillae that are mushroom-shaped and spread primarily across the top and sides of the tongue, containing taste buds sensitive to flavor.
The taste buds on these papillae are important for the sense of taste, as they contain gustatory receptor cells that send signals to the brain about the chemical composition of ingested substances. These papillae are covered in stratified squamous epithelium. Fungiform papillae, which contain taste buds, cover a large area of the tongue including the sides.