Human Anatomy - H. I. Koliadenko 2009

Sense Organs (Analyzers)
Organ of Taste

The receptors of the gustatory organ are taste Cells (papillae) located on the tip, lateral surfaces, and Base of the Tongue. A small number of them are also found in the epithelium of the soft palate mucosa and on the posterior wall of the Pharynx. The number of functional taste papillae is greater in children than in adults.

There are four types of taste papillae: circumvallate, foliate, fungiform, and filiform (Fig. 182).

Circumvallate papillae, numbering 6–12, are arranged near the base of the tongue in the shape of a Roman numeral V. Each papilla contains from 40 to 150 taste buds. Foliate papillae, numbering 3–8, are located on the posterolateral surface of the tongue. Each of these papillae contains from 3 to 20 taste buds. Fungiform papillae are scattered across the dorsum of the tongue in small numbers. Filiform papillae lack taste buds and are distributed across the back of the tongue.

It has been established that the entire tongue is capable of all types of taste perception, although the sensitivity of its specific regions to various tastants differs. For instance, the tip is most sensitive to sweet tastes, the base to bitter, the edges to sour, and both the tip and edges to salty.

Taste buds consist of Three types of cells: basal, outer supporting, and inner taste cells. They house the nerve endings of the gustatory nerves.

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Fig. 182. Tongue (top view):

1 — epiglottis; 2 — lingual tonsil; 3 — circumvallate papillae; 4, 5 — filiform papillae; 6 — fungiform papillae; 7 — foliate papillae; 8 — cecum of tongue; 9 — palatine tonsil; 10 — ROOT of the tongue

The end of the taste Cell facing the pore forms a rod-like neuroepithelial process that readily absorbs stains.

Innervation of the taste buds is provided by the Glossopharyngeal nerve, the chorda tympani (part of the intermediate nerve), and the laryngeal branch of the Vagus nerve.