Thursday 4 - fitz - gustatory

Question 1

what is the “receptor hallmark” of a special sense?

Answer 1

the receptors are not on the primary afferent neuron

Question 2

Taste neuron APs end up where in the brain? Which part more than any other?

Answer 2

End in the solitary tract of the medulla, mostly the rostral part.

Question 3

From taste buds to brain, there are three main different pathways to know

Answer 3

from taste bud (anterior tounge CN VII, posterior tounge CN IX, pharynx CN X)

to solitary tract in the medulla
3 parts of solitary tract:

caudal goes to reticular formation is for swallowing, coughing

middle goes to amygdala and hypothalmus for visceral response

rostral goes to the most medial portion of the VPM thalmus (sometimes called the taste lemniscus), then to the gustatory cortex in the insula for concious taste. From there, some can go to the orbitofrontal cortex for integration of taste and smell

Question 4

Pathway of the gag reflex

Pathway of the salivatory reflex

Answer 4

affarents from glossopharyngial
nucleus of the solitary tract
reticular formation
nucleus ambiguus
vagus nerve stumulation

affarents from taste buds
nucleus of the solitary tract
reticular formation
superior and inferior salivatory nucleus
facial nerve
chorda tympani (now it goes with lingual nerve, which is actually a branch of V3)
submandibular ganglion
submandibular gland