Taste buds contain the receptors for taste. They are located around the small structures on the upper surface of the tongue, soft palate, upper esophagus, the cheek, epiglottis, which are called papillae.here are four types of lingual papillae present in the human tongue: 1  Fungiform papillae-as the name suggests, these are slightly mushroom-shaped if looked at in longitudinal section. 2  These are present mostly at the dorsal surface of the tongue, as well as at the sides. 3  Innervated by facial nerve.