Digestive System and Taste Buds

These flashcards cover key vocabulary related to the digestive system and taste perception.

Gustatory cells

Specialized cells responsible for the sensation of taste.

Afferent nerve fibers

Nerve fibers that carry sensory information from the taste buds to the brain.

Supporting cells

Cells that provide structural support to taste buds.

Conical papillae

Type of papillae on the tongue that assists in the taste perception.

Vallate papillae

Large, circular papillae on the tongue that contain taste buds.

Taste pore

Opening through which taste substances contact gustatory cells.

Taste pit

Depression in the surface of a papilla where taste buds are located.

Taste hairs

Microvilli on gustatory cells that interact with tastants.

Glands of von Ebner

Glands that secrete fluid to help dissolve tastants for tasting.

Rumen

The largest compartment of a ruminant stomach, involved in fermentation.

Reticulum

The second compartment of a ruminant stomach, known for its honeycomb structure.

Omasum

The third compartment of a ruminant stomach, responsible for water absorption and fat digestion.

Abomasum

The fourth and final compartment of a ruminant stomach, similar to a true stomach.

Taste areas on the human tongue

Regions of the tongue that are more sensitive to different basic tastes: sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami.

Microscopic anatomy of tongue papillae

The detailed study of taste buds and their associated structures under a microscope.

Volume of ruminant stomach compartments

The total capacity of ruminant stomach parts changes from birth to maturity, indicating growth.

Histological structure of taste buds

The microscopic organization and components of taste buds.

Calf stomach compartments volume at maturity

Adult ruminant stomach can hold approximately 150-250 litres of contents.