ABSTRACT
Taste receptor cells reside in epithelial specializations, the taste buds, which are located primarily in the tongue, soft palate, and epiglottis in mammals (Mistretta, 1991; Mistretta and Hill, 1995) (see Chapter 32). On the tongue taste buds reside solely in specialized sensory structures, the gustatory papillae, and on the soft palate and epiglottis taste buds occur in high density in specialized regions. Thus, mammalian taste buds are not randomly scattered across the mucosae of the mouth and pharynx, but rather are concentrated in specific locations. This provides a basis for functional specialization that contributes to optimal processing in this life-essential sensory system, the gustatory sense.
