Tongue and Taste
Our taste buds contain taste receptors that are responsible for our ability to taste food. There are differing sources, but generally, taste buds regenerate, on average, every 8-12 days; however, some last much longer. There are also three types of taste buds:
- Fungiform taste buds papillae: these mushroom-shaped buds are found in the center of the tongue
- Circumvallate taste buds papillae: these are located in the back of the tongue and have an inverted V-shape. They're also much larger and complex.
- Foliate taste buds papillae: These are on the lateral sides of the tongue.
There are five distinct cell types within these taste buds, and these five cell types can identify five sensations: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and savory. Rather than localized in specific sections, these taste buds are scattered along the tongue's surface and are perceived equally well everywhere.