Papillae Say: puh-pih-lee Papillae are the little bumps on the top of your tongue that help grip food while your teeth are chewing. They also have another special job – they contain your taste buds, the things that help you taste everything from sour lemons to sweet peaches. Yummy! Back to Articles Related Articles Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.