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Related Concept Videos

Taste Buds and Receptors01:20

Taste Buds and Receptors

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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,...
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The Tongue and Taste Buds00:49

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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.
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The Physiology of Taste01:24

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The perception of a salty flavor is facilitated by sodium ions within the oral salivary fluid. Upon consumption of a salty substance, salt crystals disassemble, leading to the liberation of its constituents—Na+ and Cl- ions. These ions subsequently dissolve into the salivary fluid present in the oral cavity. The external environment of the gustatory cells experiences an elevation in Na+ concentration, thereby establishing a potent concentration gradient. This gradient propels the...
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Gustation01:43

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Gustation is a chemical sense that, along with olfaction (smell), contributes to our perception of taste. It starts with the activation of receptors by chemical compounds (tastants) dissolved in the saliva. The saliva and filiform papillae on the tongue distribute the tastants and increase their exposure to the taste receptors.
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Tongue01:01

Tongue

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The human tongue is a fascinating and complex organ, responsible for various essential functions such as swallowing, speech, and taste. It is also subject to various conditions and diseases. In this article, we delve into the anatomy of the tongue, its roles, and some common conditions that can affect it.
Anatomical Position in the Oral Cavity
The tongue is located within the oral cavity, also known as the mouth. It is attached to the floor of the mouth by a fold of mucous membrane called the...
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Diffusion01:12

Diffusion

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Diffusion is the passive movement of substances down their concentration gradients—requiring no expenditure of cellular energy. Substances, such as molecules or ions, diffuse from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration in the cytosol or across membranes. Eventually, the concentration will even out, with the substance moving randomly but causing no net change in concentration. Such a state is called dynamic equilibrium, which is essential for maintaining overall...
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Updated: Nov 10, 2025

µTongue: A Microfluidics-Based Functional Imaging Platform for the Tongue In Vivo
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Geographic tongue as a reaction-diffusion system.

Margaret K McGuire1, Chase A Fuller1, John F Lindner1

  • 1Department of Physics, The College of Wooster, Wooster, Ohio 44691, USA.

Chaos (Woodbury, N.Y.)
|April 3, 2021
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Geographic tongue, a benign migratory glossitis, can be modeled using reaction-diffusion equations. This study explains lesion patterns by simulating propagating waves on curved tongue-like surfaces.

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Area of Science:

  • Mathematical Biology
  • Dermatology
  • Computational Modeling

Background:

  • Geographic tongue (benign migratory glossitis) presents chronic, migrating tongue lesions of unknown etiology.
  • The migratory wavefronts suggest a potential link to reaction-diffusion systems.
  • Understanding the pattern evolution can provide insights into this common oral condition.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To model the pattern evolution of geographic tongue using reaction-diffusion equations.
  • To investigate how surface curvature influences lesion dynamics.
  • To explain the characteristic migratory patterns observed in geographic tongue.

Main Methods:

  • Developed a reaction-diffusion model applied to spheroid and paraboloid surfaces approximating tongue geometry.
  • Simulated wave propagation dynamics on these curved surfaces.
  • Analyzed the resulting patterns to match clinical observations of geographic tongue.

Main Results:

  • Reaction-diffusion equations successfully modeled the evolution of geographic tongue patterns.
  • Simulated propagating waves on curved surfaces replicated the observed lesion dynamics.
  • The model demonstrates that surface geometry plays a crucial role in pattern formation.

Conclusions:

  • Reaction-diffusion systems provide a viable framework for understanding geographic tongue.
  • The model explains observed lesion patterns through wave propagation on curved surfaces.
  • This approach offers a novel perspective on the etiology of benign migratory glossitis.