Taste papillae in the tongue: description, types, causes of inflammation and ways of treatment

Language is one of the organs of specific sensitivity. In addition, he participates in the formation of speech, helps express emotions, and is an indicator of some diseases of the blood and gastrointestinal tract.

The structure of the language

The human tongue is formed by a striated muscle tissue, which is covered with mucous membranes. Anatomically conditionally divide the organ into two unequal parts: the root (1/3) and the body (2/3), which are separated by the terminal groove. The surface of the tongue facing the palate is called the back. It is divided in half by the sagittal furrow (the junction of the two halves of the organ). On the lower surface there is a bridle of the tongue, which is fastened also to the bottom of the oral cavity.

Some people have a blind hole in the junction of the terminal and sagittal furrows. It was formed due to the invasion of the shield-lingual duct, which was the embryonic rudiment of the thyroid gland.

Functions

The language performs quite a lot of functions:
- Chewing and swallowing;
- articulate speech;
- perception of taste and regulation of salivation.

In dogs, this organ still performs thermoregulation, because only through it is possible active evaporation of moisture (or saliva). This is due to the fact that in animals covered with thick wool, it is not possible to evaporate liquid from other parts of the body.

Cats use the language for hygienic purposes. They wash themselves and their cubs, and sometimes their master, if any. In addition, the cat's tongue differs in structure. On its edge are small tubercles, which allow these animals to separate meat from bones.

Papillae in the tongue

Mucous anterior two-thirds of the tongue and epithelial plastic form specific elevations - papillae. There are five types of taste buds in the tongue:
- threadlike;
- conical;
- mushroom-shaped;
- gutters;
- leaf-shaped.

Each of them can be told in more detail:

1. Filament papillae (papillae filiformes) in the language most. They are stretched along the edges of the tongue and in front, have a longer length than the rear. Morphologically, the papilla is a protrusion of the mucosa, covered with a non-cornificating epithelium (this gives them a white color). These papillae do not catch the taste of food, they only touch it and hold it in their mouth.
2. Conical papillae (papillae conicae) in the tongue are interspersed with filamentary and very similar to them, both in structure and function. They contain pain and temperature receptors. Are intended for mechanical processing of food.
3. Taste papillae in the tongue are mushroom-shaped (papillae fungiformes) . They are rounded, resemble whitish hats, since they are also covered with multilayer epithelium. Chaotically cover the body of the tongue, but do not meet in the center of the back. Their number can reach 1000 pieces. At the tip of the papilla are several taste buds (two to fifteen), which perceive the sweet.
4. The papillae (papillae vallatae) are located near the root and morphologically include the papilla itself, the cushion and the glands. Their number is small, but they perceive bitter tastes.
5. The leaf papillae (papillae foliatae) in the tongue are located near the palatine arches. They are oval in shape and have folding in the form of leaflets (hence the name). In the depth of the leaflets there are receptors that perceive the sour taste.

Causes of inflammation of the papillae of the tongue

Inflammation of the papillae in the tongue in common parlance is called a "tippoo". This is a fairly common phenomenon, especially in children and nervous people. The first drag dirty objects into the mouth, and the second, in order to cope with emotions, it is necessary to gnaw a cap from a pen or pencil, or other stationery that also does not differ in purity. The disease is accompanied by rather unpleasant symptoms. Among them:
- enlarged papillae in the tongue;
- sensation of a foreign body;
- Burning and taste disorder;
- Pain when touching, talking, chewing.

The causes of inflammation can be a variety of things. Chemical and thermal burns, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), injuries as a result of resorption of sweets, teeth cleaning, the presence of prosthesis and chipped teeth. An important role is played by infectious diseases of bacterial, viral or fungal origin.

Glossitis

If you have swollen papillae in the tongue, but it may not necessarily be a harmless tippoo. There is a zabolevanie, like glossitis. It develops as a result of trauma or infection, as well as a manifestation of vitamin deficiencies and anomalies in the structure of the tongue.

In any case, if there are inflamed papillae in the tongue in the clinical picture, the causes of the disease can be mechanical (traumas of the tongue, oral cavity in general), chemical (burns with alkalis and acids, nicotine, alcohol, spices), physical (hot or cold food) , As well as allergic (reaction to the components of the toothpaste, freshener of the oral cavity). Among systemic diseases accompanied by glossitis, iron deficiency anemia, lichen planus, aphthosis, syphilis and many others are isolated.

Symptoms of glossitis

There are several variations of glossitis, but common to all are the following symptoms:
- change in color and structure of the organ;
- increase in size;
- presence of a raid on the tongue;
- problems with chewing food, swallowing, speech;
- burning.

Clinically, a deep glossitis is distinguished when the inflammatory process is located in the thickness of the lingual muscle in the form of an abscess or phlegmon. With phlegmonous glossitis, the oral cavity is involved in the pathological process , as well as the fiber of the neck.

Superficial glossitis is an isolated inflammation of the mucous membrane of the tongue. Catarrhal glossitis is accompanied by edema of the tongue, its immobility, burning sensation and abundant salivation.

Ulcerous glossitis is characterized by the appearance of a gray or black plaque, after the removal of which remains a bleeding surface. Such patients, as a rule, have an unpleasant smell from the mouth.

Desquamative glossitis appears as a sign of serious systemic disorders in the body. Folded and rhomboid glossitis are congenital anomalies and do not cause any symptoms. Gunther's glossitis is an early symptom of anemia. It is manifested by burning on the tip of the tongue and painting it in crimson color.

Diagnosis of glossitis

If you have a suspicion that the papillae on the tongue are inflamed, then this is a direct road to the dentist. He examines the oral cavity and, if possible, will identify the cause of this phenomenon. It is possible that the visit is not limited to a doctor. It may happen that the dentist will refer you to a therapist or gastroenterologist.

In any case, to accurately diagnose it will be necessary to take a blood test, take a flush from the tongue and conduct all the necessary laboratory tests in order not to miss something important.

Treatment of glossitis

When the diagnosis is clear, you need to start with etiotropic therapy, that is, eliminate the cause. This can be the treatment of the underlying disease, antibiotic therapy, anti-inflammatory drugs and immunomodulators. As a rule, to remove swelling and reduce pain use corticosteroids, but they can not be prescribed independently, because they have serious side effects.

To disinfect the oral cavity in general, and the tongue in particular, rinsing with furacilin, manganese or chlorhexidine is recommended. To reduce pain, local anesthetics, such as lidocaine, are also suitable. In advanced cases, surgical treatment may be required.