A patient complains of an altered sense of taste (dysgeusia). Which salivary gland is most closely associated with taste function and the circumvallate papillae?

Von Ebner's glands (gustatory glands) are serous minor salivary glands located in the tongue's submucosa adjacent to the circumvallate (vallate) and foliate papillae at the posterior third of the tongue. They secrete a watery serous fluid that flushes taste-stimulating substances into the moats (trenches) surrounding the circumvallate papillae, facilitating rapid contact with taste receptor cells (taste buds). They also secrete lingual lipase, initiating lipid digestion. Dysfunction of Von Ebner's glands is associated with impaired taste sensation (dysgeusia). They are innervated by the glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX).