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Scanning electron microscopical studies of developing gustatory papillae in humans
1Department of Anatomy, Technical University, Dresden, Germany. mwitt@rcs.urz.tu-dresden.de
Chemical Senses
|February 10, 1998
Summary
Human gustatory papillae develop early in gestation, with fungiform papillae appearing before filiform papillae. Taste pores emerge around week 10, but taste bud maturation is incomplete by week 15.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Human Embryology
- Oral Anatomy
Background:
- Understanding the early development of gustatory papillae is crucial for comprehending the formation of the human sense of taste.
- Previous research has provided limited detailed morphological data on human tongue papillae during early gestation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the developmental timeline and morphological changes of human gustatory papillae from postovulatory weeks 6 to 15.
- To characterize the initial appearance and development of different papilla types and taste pores.
Main Methods:
- Utilized scanning and transmission electron microscopy to examine human embryonic tongue tissue.
- Analyzed morphological features and developmental stages of papillae during weeks 6-15.
Main Results:
- The first papillae appear near the foramen caecum by week 6; prominent fungiform papillae develop by week 7.
- Primitive taste pores are observed around week 10, with significant development by weeks 14-15.
- Fungiform papillae develop before filiform papillae, and their growth is noted between weeks 8-15, while vallate papillae remain constant in size.
Conclusions:
- Gustatory papillae exhibit distinct developmental patterns during early human gestation.
- The emergence of taste pores precedes full taste bud differentiation, indicating a sequential maturation process.