Physiology of Taste Flashcards
what type of receptor are involved in taste
chemoreceptor, stimulated by binding particular chemicals
where are the sensory cell receptors of taste mainly found
mainly packaged into taste buds
what do taste buds consist of
sensory receptor cells and support cells arranged like slices of orange
how often are taste buds replaced and where are they replaced from
have life span of around 10 days
replaced from basal cells within taste buds
where are taste buds mainly present, and where are the majority
tongue, epiglottis, pharynx, palate
majority are in papillae on the tongue
describe what papillae are
finger-like structures which give rise rough appearance of tongue, seen as little red dots or raised bumps
what are the 4 different types of papillae
fungiform, filliform, vallate, foliate
what is the most numerous type of papillae and is also the only type that doesn’t contain taste buds
filliform
describe what happens when binding of taste provoking chemical occurs
produces depolarising receptor potential, this initiates action potentials in afferent nerve fibres, which synapse with receptor cells
by what cranial nerves do afferent taste fibres reach the brianstem
CN VII, chorda tympani branch of facial nerve
CN IX, glossopharyngeal nerve
CN X, vagus nerve
what are the 5 primary tastes and where on the tongue are they sensed
bitter(posterior), sour(left and right), salty(left and right), sweet(anterior), umami(all over)
what is ageusia and what can it be caused by
loss of taste function
eg nerve damage, local inflammation, some endo disorders
what is hypogeusia and what can it be caused by
reduced taste function
eg chemotherapy or medications
what is dysguesia and what can it be caused by
distortion of taste function,
eg glossitis, gum infection, tooth decay, reflux, resp infection
(many causes)
