MEDICAL PHYSIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -The tongue is a sensory organ which helps in the perception of the sense of taste. The various nerves which supply the tongue include the trigeminal nerve (V), the facial nerve (VII), the glossopharyngeal nerve (IX) and the vagus nerve (X).

Detailed explanation-2: -The tongue muscles are enveloped by mucosa supplied by the glossopharyngeal (IX) and lingual (LN) nerves. The nerves supplying the lingual structures were organized in a nerve-dependent and muscle-specific manner as described below. Entire nerve map of the adult human tongue.

Detailed explanation-3: -The anterior two-thirds of the tongue have double sensory innervation. The lingual nerve, a branch of the mandibular nerve (CN V3) carries general sensory information (temperature and touch) from this surface.

Detailed explanation-4: -Humans perceive taste through thousands of tiny sensory organs called taste buds, which are located mostly on the upper surface of the tongue. Each taste bud contains 50 to 100 taste cells, which contain molecules, known as receptors, that can detect each type of taste-sweet, bitter, sour, salty, or umami (savory).

Detailed explanation-5: -We use our tongues to distinguish between five basic tastes, i.e. sweet, sour, salty, bitter and umami. The latter is created by the presence of glutamate, which is contained primarily in high-protein foods such as meat, and is also used in the kitchen as a flavour enhancer.