GUSTATION

Gustation

-Sense of taste, from molecules we eat and drink -

basal cells

Are considered stem cells. AND THEY ARE constantly replacing gustatory cells •declining taste after age 50 -reduction in gustatory cell replacement and number of taste buds

Tongue

It houses mechanoreceptors and thermoreceptors to provide information about texture and temperature of our food

Vallate papillae

It is known circumvallate papillae, least numerous, largest papillae, arranged in inverted V on posterior dorsal surface of tongue •each papilla is surrounded by deep, narrow depression, most taste buds housed within the walls of these papillae along the side facing the depression.

gustatory cells

are considered taste receptors or gustatory receptors that are enclosed by supporting cells. have 7 to 10 day life span

Fungiform papillae

block-like projections, on tip and sides of tongue •contain a few taste buds.

Papillae

epithelial and connective tissue elevations on the dorsal surface of the tongue.

Foliate papillae

not well developed in humans tongue, they extend as ridges on posterior lateral tongue and house only a few taste buds through early childhood

Filiform papillae

short and spiked, distibuted on anterior two-thirds of the tongue surface. •no taste buds, assist in detecting texture and manipulating food

Taste buds

•have appearance of an onion, enclosed by supporting cells •contain numerous taste receptors called gustatory cells

Gustatory cells

•taste receptors housed in specialized cylindrical sensory organs called TASTE BUDS on the surface of tongue and soft palate -