Taste buds

Definition

Taste buds are small sensory organs located on the tongue, which are responsible for detecting the five basic tastes: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami. They send signals to the brain via the somatic nervous system to interpret flavors.

Related terms

Papillae: Small bumps on the surface of the tongue where taste buds are housed.

Gustation: The sense of taste that involves the detection and perception of flavors by the taste buds.

Somatic Nervous System: A part of the peripheral nervous system that transmits sensory and motor signals to and from the central nervous system, playing a key role in processing sensations like taste