Von Ebner's gland

More specifically, they are serous salivary glands which reside adjacent to the moats surrounding the circumvallate and foliate papillae just anterior to the posterior third of the tongue in its submucosa, anterior to the terminal sulcus.

These glands are named after Victor von Ebner, an Austrian histologist.

Von Ebner's glands secrete lingual lipase,[1] beginning the process of lipid hydrolysis in the mouth.

These glands empty their serous secretion into the base of the moats around the foliate and circumvallate papillae.

This secretion presumably flushes material from the mouth to enable the taste buds to respond rapidly to changing stimuli.