a-short-review-of-histology

Taste Buds:

The taste buds are located mainly on the tongue although small numbers may be found in the soft palate and in the epiglottis
The taste buds of the tongue are generally associated with the epithelium of the papillae which are located on the dorsal surface of the tongue
Taste buds consist of a cluster of cells located within the thick stratified squamous epithelium of the tongue
The clusters of cells are exposed to the tongue through a small pore
The clusters consist of support cells as well as the sensory cells which are the specialized chemoreceptors which provide us with the special sense of taste
Chemicals pass through the taste bud pore to contact the sensory cells of the taste bud

Micrograph of Taste Buds:

Taste buds (arrows) on the surface of the tongue