What would you expect to find when inspecting the lateral border of the tongue at the base?

Inspecting the lateral border of the tongue at the base reveals taste buds, which are specialized sensory structures involved in the sense of taste. The lateral borders of the tongue are particularly rich in taste buds, making this area crucial for taste perception.

While filiform papillae, which are primarily responsible for the texture of the tongue and do not contain taste buds, are located throughout the surface of the tongue, they are not found specifically at the lateral border. Fungiform papillae are also found on the surface of the tongue, particularly at the tip and sides, but they are not as concentrated at the base of the lateral border. Circumvallate papillae, located towards the back of the tongue, contain taste buds but are not found at the lateral borders. Thus, the presence of taste buds at the lateral border at the base of the tongue is a key feature that supports the answer.