Introduction

Measurements of chemosensory function within specific regions of the tongue can yield important information about the sensitivity of lingual areas to chemosensory stimuli and may identify possible nerve damage. A novel regional chemosensory test that uses thin edible circles was developed for human testing.

Methods

Edible circles placed at six different regions of the tongue were used to examine regional sensitivity to quinine for bitter taste, NaCl for salt taste, sucralose for sweet taste, and capsaicin for pungency. The six regions included the anterior tip of the tongue, the left and right lateral margins of the tongue (anterior and posterior), and the circumvallate region. Testing was completed with the mouth open, and the mouth closed.

Results

Intensity ratings at all sites were higher in the closed mouth condition for the three taste stimuli. Quinine intensity was highest at the circumvallate region with the mouth closed. NaCl and sucralose intensity were highest at the anterior tip and circumvallate regions. Capsaicin intensity was most highly perceived at the anterior tip of the tongue, but open and closed mouth intensity ratings showed no significant differences.

Conclusions

Regional differences in chemosensory perception were observed on the tongue, and these differences were dependent on the chemosensory stimulus, tongue region, and tasting mode.

Implications

Edible circles show minimal diffusion with saliva, can be used to examine both taste and irritation, and may be used to identify regional papillae counts on the tongue. Finally, edible circles should be invaluable for examining damage to the oral cavity.

中文翻译：

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开发使用可食用圆圈进行刺激传递的区域味觉测试

介绍

舌头特定区域内化学感觉功能的测量可以产生有关舌区域对化学感觉刺激的敏感性的重要信息，并可以识别可能的神经损伤。为人体测试开发了一种使用薄可食用圆圈的新型区域化学感应测试。

方法

放置在舌头六个不同区域的可食用圆圈用于检查区域对奎宁（苦味）、NaCl（盐味）、三氯蔗糖（甜味）和辣椒素（辛辣味）的敏感性。六个区域包括舌的前尖、舌的左右外侧边缘（前和后）和外周区域。测试在嘴巴张开和嘴巴闭合的情况下完成。

结果

对于三种味觉刺激，所有部位的强度等级在闭口条件下都较高。闭嘴时，奎宁强度在外周区域最高。NaCl 和三氯蔗糖强度在前尖端和外周区域最高。辣椒素强度在舌前尖的感知最为强烈，但张开和闭合嘴巴强度等级没有显着差异。

结论

在舌头上观察到化学感觉感知的区域差异，这些差异取决于化学感觉刺激、舌头区域和品尝模式。

影响

可食用的圆圈显示出与唾液的最小扩散，可用于检查味道和刺激，并可用于识别舌头上的区域乳头计数。最后，可食用的圆圈对于检查口腔损伤应该是无价的。