Tongue map

The tongue map or taste map is a common misconception that different sections of the tongue are exclusively responsible for different basic tastes. It is illustrated with a schematic map of the tongue, with certain parts of the tongue labeled for each taste. Although widely taught in schools, this was scientifically disproven by later research; all taste sensations come from all regions of the tongue.[1]

Contents

History

The theory behind this map originated from a paper written by Harvard psychologist Edwin G. Boring, which was a translation of a German paper, Zur Psychophysik des Geschmackssinnes, that was written in 1901.[2] The unclear representation of data in the former paper suggested that each part of the tongue tastes exactly one basic taste.[3][4]

Actually, the paper showed minute differences in threshold detection levels across the tongue.[2][5] These differences were later taken out of context and the minute difference in threshold sensitivity related simply in textbooks as a difference in sensitivity.[5]

So, while some parts of the tongue may be able to detect a taste before the others do, all parts are equally good at conveying the qualia of all tastes. Threshold sensitivity may differ across the tongue,[5] intensity of sensation does not.

The same article included a taste bud distribution diagram that showed a "taste belt".[6]

In 1974, a scientist named Virginia Collings investigated the topic again, and confirmed that all the tastes exist on all parts of the tongue.[7]

Taste belt

The misinterpreted 1901 diagram in the article that sparked this myth shows human taste buds distributed in a "taste belt" the outside of the tongue.

A. Hoffmann has concluded prior in 1875 that the dorsal center of the human tongue has practically no fungiform papillae and taste buds,[8] and it was this finding that the diagram describes.

Research

Every part of the tongue includes receptors for every basic taste.[9][10]

References

  1. ^ O'Connor, Anahad (November 10, 2008). "The Claim: The tongue is mapped into four areas of taste". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/11/health/11real.html?_r=1. Retrieved June 24, 2011. 
  2. ^ a b Hänig, David (1901). "Zur Psychophysik des Geschmackssinnes". Philosophische Studien 17: 576–623. http://vlp.mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de/pdf/lit4562_Lo.pdf. Retrieved June 24, 2011. 
  3. ^ Wanjek, Christopher (August 29, 2006). "The Tongue Map: Tasteless Myth Debunked". Livescience.com. http://www.livescience.com/health/060829_bad_tongue.html. Retrieved June 24, 2011. 
  4. ^ March 2001 Scientific American Magazine: The Taste Map: All Wrong
  5. ^ a b c The Chemotopic Organization of Taste wwwalt.med-rz.uni-sb.de
  6. ^ Chemotopic representation of the human tongue according to Hänig (1901) wwwalt.med-rz.uni-sb.de
  7. ^ Collings, V.B., 1974. Human Taste Response as a Function of Locus of Stimulation on the Tongue and Soft Palate. Perception & Psychophysics, 16: 169-174.
  8. ^ Hoffmann, A., 1875. Über die Verbreitung der Geschmacksknospen beim Menschen. I haArch. Pathol. Anat. Physiol., 62: 516-530.
  9. ^ Huang, Angela; Chen, Xiaoke; Hoon, Mark; Chandrashekar, Jayaram; Guo, Wei; Tränkner, Dimitri; Ryba, Nicholas; Zuker, Charles (August 24, 2006). "The cells and logic for mammalian sour taste detection". Nature 442 (7105): 934–938. doi:10.1038/nature05084. PMC 1571047. PMID 16929298. http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v442/n7105/abs/nature05084.html. Retrieved June 24, 2011. 
  10. ^ Scenta. "How sour taste buds grow". http://www.scenta.co.uk/home/search/cit/1061938/how-sour-taste-buds-grow.htm. Retrieved April 20, 2010. -