TASTE Receptor Cells

• Taste receptor cells are found on the tongue and on the epiglottis. They occur in papilla on the tip, sides and upper surface of the tongue. The papilla are composed of supporting cells that hold clusters of the taste cell projections that reach the tongue surface. Each taste cluster communicates with the saliva surface cell through a taste pore. Four basic taste modalites, ( salty, sweet, bitter and sour) are specific to papilla at each location on the tongue. The receptors on the epiglottis operate to prevent toxic substances to be swallowed by activating the the gag and vomiting reflexes.