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What is the relative concentration of fungiform papillae to circumvallate papillae on the tongue?

User Albin Anke
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Final answer:

Fungiform papillae are numerous and scattered across the tongue but contain fewer taste receptors each, while circumvallate papillae are less in number but have a higher concentration of taste buds within each structure.

Step-by-step explanation:

The tongue contains different types of papillae, which include fungiform papillae and circumvallate papillae. Fungiform papillae, which are mushroom shaped, are scattered across a large area of the tongue, varying in size and being larger towards the rear and smaller on the tip and sides. In contrast, circumvallate papillae are less in number but contain more taste buds. They are wall-like structures arranged in an inverted 'V' at the back of the tongue, and each contains about 250 taste buds.

Comparing the relative concentration of these two types of papillae regarding taste bud presence, circumvallate papillae have fewer in number but a higher concentration of taste buds, while fungiform papillae are more numerous across the tongue but with fewer taste receptors in each. Overall, the tongue has a sophisticated layout where different papillae contribute to the complexity of taste sensation, texture perception, and food manipulation in the mouth.

User Peter Kostov
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