The taste buds of the tongue occur within papillae (foliate, fungiform, and vallate) present in the stratified squamous epithelium of the tongue. The taste buds consist of basal cells (near the basal lamina), supporting cells, and gustatory cells (sensory or neuroepithelial cells).The gustatory cells, which can be distinguished from supporting cells with a specific staining only, have microvilli at their apical ends extending in the taste pore.he taste buds of the tongue occur within papillae (foliate, fungiform, and vallate) present in the stratified squamous epithelium of the tongue. The taste buds consist of basal cells (near the basal lamina), supporting cells, and gustatory cells (sensory or neuroepithelial cells).