What are the main parts of your tongue?

The main parts of the tongue are the apex, the body, the epiglottis, several types of papillae and the taste buds. The tongue is also served by the buccal nerve, the mylohyoid nerve and the superior alveolar branch of the infraorbital nerve.

Papillae are tiny nodules found in certain areas on the tongue. Different types include the foliate, filiform and fungiform papillae and the vallate papillae. The taste buds are located between these papillae and at the base of the tongue. People lose taste buds as they grow older, and babies have taste buds nearly everywhere in their mouths, even their cheeks.