II. Physiology

  1. Tongue differentiates only bitter, salt, sour, sweet
    1. Taste-related substances dissolve in Saliva
    2. Taste Buds (on Tongue, Soft Palate, Larynx, epiglottis)
  2. Olfactory Sensation is primary trigger for Taste Sensation

III. Anatomy: Taste Innervation

  1. Tongue Innervation (parasympathetic fibers)
    1. Anterior two thirds of Tongue: Lingual nerve (Chorda Tympani branch of Facial Nerve or Cranial Nerve 7)
    2. Posterior one third of Tongue: Glossopharyngeal Nerve
  2. Palate
    1. Greater superficial petrosal nerve
  3. Pharynx and Larynx
    1. Vagus Nerve
  4. Adjunctive Sensation of Temperature, stinging and sharpness
    1. Trigeminal Nerve

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