

You might guess that these bumps on the tongue are taste buds, but they're not exactly. These spiky formations are papillae (say: puh-pih-luh).

Papillae contain taste buds and they help grip food and move it around while you chew. They also send the brain messages about the texture or temperature of whatever you're eating.

Stick Out Your Tongue and Say Aah
What Are Taste Buds?
Word! Taste Buds