Tongue anatomy, computer artwork. The tongue is one of the taste organs. Its surface is covered in small projections called papillae. The largest of these, the vallate papillae, are the first row of bumps seen at the rear of the tongue at left. They are easily seen by the naked eye and contain taste buds. At top right is a section through a tongue showing taste buds (blue). At bottom right is a magnified view of a tastebud, with nerves (green) transmitting the sensory information to the brain where it is interpreted as a taste sensation.