Basic Diagram of a Human Taste Bud of the Tongue Poster

Taste buds contain the receptors for taste. They are located around the small structures on the upper surface of the tongue, soft palate, upper oesophagus and epiglottis, which are called papillae. These structures are involved in detecting the five (known) elements of taste perception: salty, sour, bitter, sweet, and umami. Via small openings in the tongue epithelium, called taste pores, parts of the food dissolved in saliva come into contact with taste receptors. These are located on top of the taste receptor cells that constitute the taste buds. The taste receptor cells send information detected by clusters of various receptors and ion channels to the gustatory areas of the brain via the seventh, ninth and tenth cranial nerves. Image reproduction rights can be found in the link near the bottom of this description. Sign up to Mr. Rebates for FREE and save 12% on any zazzle order in addition to a $5.00 sign up bonus All Rights Reserved; without: prejudice, recourse or notice (U.C.C. 1-308) Image Reproduction Rights: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Taste_bud.svg "taste bud" tastebud "taste receptor" "taste bud diagram" "taste bud chart" "taste receptor cell" "basal cell" "afferent nerve" "taste pore" "taste bud schematic" "taste receptor cell" caliculus gustatorius "caliculus gustatorius" papillæ papillae