1. Anatomy & Physiology The Sense of Taste
Tarek Tabbaa – Nour Bou Daher
Grade 12

2. The Sense of Taste
Papillae: elevations of the tongue that detect taste stimuli.
Taste buds: sensory structures found:
on certain papillae
on the palate of the roof of the mouth
certain regions of the pharynx
on the lips of children

3. The Sense of Taste Taste Bud Taste Cells Specialized Epithelial Cells
- form the interior of the taste bud
- function as the receptor sites for taste
form the exterior capsule of the taste bud

4. The taste bud is spherical with an opening called the taste pore.
The Sense of Taste
The taste bud is spherical with an opening called the taste pore.
Taste hairs are tiny projections that extend out of the taste pore. They function as the receptors of the taste cell.

5. The saliva produced by the salivary glands provides this fluid medium.
The Sense of Taste
Before a chemical can be tasted, it must first be dissolved in a fluid (just like the odors in the nose).
The saliva produced by the salivary glands provides this fluid medium.

6. The Sense of Taste
Nerve fibers surrounding the taste cells transmit the impulses to the brain for interpretation.
The sensory impulses travel on the facial (VIII), glossopharyngeal (IX), and vagus (X) cranial nerves to the gustatory (taste) cortex of the parietal lobe of the cerebrum for interpretation.

7. Taste Sensations
The four major types of taste sensations are sweet, sour, salty, and bitter.
All taste buds can detect all four sensations, but specific areas of the tongue react strongly to specific taste sensations.
sweet
sour
salty
bitter

8. It is considered the fifth taste sensation.
Taste Sensations
A newly discovered taste sensation, called umami, is basically everything savory.
It is considered the fifth taste sensation.

9. Influence of Olfactory Sensations
Taste sensations are also influenced by olfactory sensations.
Holding one’s nose while swallowing reduces the taste sensation.
Example: taking bad-tasting medicine.