The vallate |papilla|, sometimes called circumvallate, are the largest |papilla| found on the |tongue|. A person has an average of seven to twelve vallate |papilla| located on the upper surface towards the back of the |tongue|. The |papilla| generally are arranged in a "V" shape pointing toward the throat. These |papilla| are involved in the perception of |taste| and have |taste| buds located on their tips. Each vallate |papilla| contains from 250 to 270 |taste| buds. Although later in life, after age 75, the total number of vallate |papilla| on the |tongue|'s surface drops about 50%. These |taste| buds respond only to sour and bitter qualities.
