Tongue taste buds. Light micrograph of a longitudinal section through the tongue surface showing a circumvallate papilla with taste buds. Circumvallate papillae are involved in tasting food. The papilla (centre) is encircled by a deep cleft (white, V-shaped). At the base of the papilla are numerous taste buds (pale pink, rounded). Just below and to the right of the papilla are Von Ebner's glands (dark pink). These glands secrete a watery fluid into the cleft which dissolves food components and facilitates taste reception. Haematoxylin and eosin stained. Magnification x10 at 35mm size.