Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

The Tongue and Taste Buds

The Tongue and Taste Buds

The surface of the tongue is covered with various small bumps called papillae, which either distribute what has been ingested (filiform papillae) or contain the sensory taste (or gustatory) receptor cells (fungiform, circumvallate, and foliate papillae). Embedded within each taste-related papilla are the taste buds—clusters of 30 to 100 gustatory receptor cells.

Taste Buds and Receptors

Taste Buds and Receptors

Gustation, or the sense of taste, is intrinsically linked to the anatomical structures located on the tongue. This organ's surface, along with the entirety of the oral cavity, is adorned with stratified squamous epithelium. Evident on the tongue are elevated structures known as papillae (singular = papilla), which house the mechanisms for the transduction of gustatory stimuli. Four distinct types of papillae exist, each identified by their unique morphological attributes: the circumvallate,...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

In silico screening system based on a transcription factors regulatory network only using transcriptomic data.

PloS one·2025

Same author

Acquired human speech sounds replace conspecific syllables in the song of Budgerigars Melopsittacus undulatus.

Behavioural processes·2025

Same author

SMAD2/3 signaling regulates initiation of mouse Wolffian ducts and proximal differentiation in Müllerian ducts.

FEBS open bio·2023

Same author

Design of a Sensitive Extracellular Vesicle Detection Method Utilizing a Surface-Functionalized Power-Free Microchip.

Membranes·2022

Same author

Cell culture and genetic transfection methods for the Japanese scallop, Patinopecten yessoensis.

FEBS open bio·2021

Same author

Extracellular matrix components and elasticity regulate mouse vaginal epithelial differentiation induced by mesenchymal cells†.

Biology of reproduction·2021

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 29, 2026

Isolation and Culture of Human Fungiform Taste Papillae Cells

Isolation and Culture of Human Fungiform Taste Papillae Cells

Published on: May 17, 2012

Attempt to develop taste bud models in three-dimensional culture.

Miyako Nishiyama¹, Saori Yuki, Chiharu Fukano

¹Division of Material and Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan.

Zoological Science

|September 3, 2011

Summary

Researchers developed a novel mouse taste bud culture model using three cell lines. This model successfully mimics the structure and cell characteristics of natural taste buds, aiding gustatory organ research.

More Related Videos

Generation and Culture of Lingual Organoids Derived from Adult Mouse Taste Stem Cells

Generation and Culture of Lingual Organoids Derived from Adult Mouse Taste Stem Cells

Published on: April 5, 2021

Whole-Mount Staining, Visualization, and Analysis of Fungiform, Circumvallate, and Palate Taste Buds

Whole-Mount Staining, Visualization, and Analysis of Fungiform, Circumvallate, and Palate Taste Buds

Published on: February 11, 2021

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 29, 2026

Isolation and Culture of Human Fungiform Taste Papillae Cells

Isolation and Culture of Human Fungiform Taste Papillae Cells

Published on: May 17, 2012

Generation and Culture of Lingual Organoids Derived from Adult Mouse Taste Stem Cells

Generation and Culture of Lingual Organoids Derived from Adult Mouse Taste Stem Cells

Published on: April 5, 2021

Whole-Mount Staining, Visualization, and Analysis of Fungiform, Circumvallate, and Palate Taste Buds

Whole-Mount Staining, Visualization, and Analysis of Fungiform, Circumvallate, and Palate Taste Buds

Published on: February 11, 2021

Area of Science:

Oral Biology
Cell Biology
Tissue Engineering

Background:

Taste buds are sensory organs for taste perception, located in gustatory papillae within the oral cavity.
Understanding taste bud development and function requires suitable in vitro models.
Existing models may not fully replicate the complex microenvironment of lingual taste buds.

Purpose of the Study:

To establish a functional in vitro culture model that mimics the mouse lingual taste bud.
To utilize and evaluate specific cell lines for their potential in reconstructing taste bud structures.
To investigate the characteristics of taste bud-derived cells in a controlled culture system.

Main Methods:

Utilized three cell lines: taste bud-derived (TBD), lingual epithelial (20A), and mesenchymal (TMD).
Cultured TBD cells in collagen gel to form 3D clusters with specific structural features.
Developed a triple cell co-culture system involving TBD, 20A, and TMD cells on collagen gel.

Main Results:

TBD cells in 3D collagen formed clusters with epithelial-like morphology, tight junctions, microvilli, and a laminin layer.
These TBD cell clusters expressed taste cell markers gustducin and NCAM.
A triple co-culture system promoted TBD cells to express NCAM, suggesting Type III taste cell characteristics.

Conclusions:

The developed triple cell co-culture system effectively mimics mouse lingual taste bud structure and cell expression.
This novel culture model provides a valuable tool for studying taste bud morphogenesis and gustatory organ functions.
The model's ability to replicate key features supports its utility in future taste research.