Taste buds and Gustation

Taste buds

Found on the tongue, soft palate, pharynx (throat), and larynx, are microscopic, onion shaped structures that contain gustatory cells, gustatory hairs, and supporting cells

Gustatory cell

Has one gustatory hair that projects through an opening, the taste pore, on the apical end of the taste bud

Gustatory receptors

Located on the gustatory hairs; Basal end synapse onto the dendritic end of sensory neurons; Axons of sensory neurons contribute fibers to the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII), glossopharyngeal nerve (IX), or vagus nerve (X), depending on the location of the taste bud

Vallate

Type of papillae; Contains taste buds Largest papillae and form an inverted V at the posterior of the tongue

Fungiform

Type of papillae; Contains taste buds Mushroom-shaped and are scattered over the surface of the tongue; Rounded shape

Foliate

Type of papillae; Contains taste buds Present mostly in children and are located in lateral margins of the tongue

Filiform

Type of papillae; No taste buds Slender, pointed projections that cover the surface of the tongue and give the tongue a rough texture;

Papillae

Where taste buds are located; Elevated structures that give the tongue its rough appearence; Four types of papillae: Vallate, fungiform, foliate, and filiform