Tongue—Dorsal Surface

The dorsal surface of the tongue is covered with four types of papillae. Filiform are the most numerous papillae and cover the anterior two-thirds of the dorsum of the tongue. Although these papillae have no taste function, they may serve a tactile function.

Fungiform papillae are singular knoblike projections scattered among the filiform papillae and may appear redder than the area around them.

Circumvallate papillae are large, mushroom-shaped elevations that form an inverted V separating the anterior two-thirds from the posterior one-third of the tongue.

Foliate papillae are found on the lateral border of the tongue in the region of the circumvallate papillae and appear as parallel slits.

(Photo: dorsal surface of the tongue)

Gingiva

The gingiva is divided into two distinct zones: the unattached, or free gingiva and the attached gingiva.

The free gingiva surrounds the tooth forming a sulcus or crevice next to the tooth surface.

[On the facial surface of the gingiva, a shallow depression (termed the free gingival groove) separates the attached and unattached gingiva.]

In a healthy state, the color of the gingiva is pale pink, free of bleeding, with a stippled appearance. The remainder of the gingiva, the attached gingiva, is firm and tightly attached to the underlying alveolar bone.

(Photo: normal pediatric gingiva)