Scientific Illustration

themightymelatonin:

Figure: Anatomy of peripheral taste pathways. Multiple nerves, including cranial nerves VII, IX and X, transmit taste information from the mouth and pharynx to the brain via the brain stem.

Taste
Many nerves are responsible for transmitting taste information to the brain. Because of these multiple pathways, total loss of taste (ageusia) is rare. As in the olfactory system, somatosensory sensations (e.g., stinging, burning, cooling and sharpness) can be induced by many foods (e.g., hot peppers) through trigeminal nerve fibers in the tongue and oral cavity.
Taste receptors are found within taste buds located not only on the tongue but also on the soft palate, pharynx, larynx, epiglottis, uvula and first one third of the esophagus. Taste buds are continually bathed in secretions from the salivary glands, and excessive dryness can distort taste perception.

Natural History Of Taste Deficits
Like olfactory function, taste perception becomes somewhat impaired with normal aging.4,15 Compared with younger persons, the elderly tend to perceive tastes as being less intense.

Causes Of Taste Loss
Common causes of taste loss include oral and perioral infections, oral appliances, Bell’s palsy, medications, head trauma and mass lesions of the taste pathways.

(via anaestheticroom)