Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 29, 2026

Technique to Collect Fungiform (Taste) Papillae from Human Tongue
Published on: September 18, 2010
Taste perception in patients with insular cortex lesions
T C Pritchard1, D A Macaluso, P J Eslinger
1Department of Behavioral Science, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey 17033, USA. tcpl@psu.edu
Abstract:
Research on nonhuman primates suggests that the primary taste cortex in humans is located in the rostrodorsal insula. Qualitative and quantitative assessment of taste perception was performed on 6 patients with unilateral damage to the insula, 3 patients with brain damage outside the insula, and 11 age-matched, normal subjects. Each subject identified the quality and intensity of the gustatory stimuli applied separately to the left and right sides of the anterior tongue. Damage to the right insula produced ipsilateral taste recognition and intensity deficits. Damage to the left insula caused an ipsilateral deficit in taste intensity but a bilateral deficit in taste recognition. The unexpected deficit in the left-hemispheric stroke patients for taste recognition on the right side of the tongue suggests that taste information from both sides of the tongue passes through the left insula.
Related Concept Videos
Gustation
Olfaction
The olfactory receptors are embedded in the cilia of the...
Somatosensation
Association Areas of the Cortex
Prefrontal Association Area: This area is located in the frontal lobe and is involved in planning, decision-making, and moderating social behavior. It connects with primary motor areas,...
The Physiology of Taste
Tactile and Chemical Senses

