n. (pl.papillae) any of the four types of swellings on the tongue. In humans, some 200 fungiform papillae are toward the front of the tongue; 10 to 14 foliate papillae are on the sides; 7 to 11 circumvallate papillae are on the back; and filiform papillae, with no taste function, cover most of the tongue’s surface. Also called lingual papilla.