• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2011

The aims of this study were to establish the effect of gender and age on number of fungiform papillae and electrogustometric thresholds of the tongue, and to determine the relation between number of fungiform papillae and electrogustometric threshold. Sixty-two healthy subjects of 20 to 39 years old were enrolled in this study. Examination areas were defined as center, anterior, left lateral, right lateral, and posterior on the dorsal surface of the tongue, which was stained with methylene blue dye and photographed with a scale bar on it. The number of fungiform papillae within $1\; cm^2$ square area of each examination site was counted twice. The counted values were averaged to produce means. Taste thresholds were measured three times on each examination area using an electrogustometer. Means of the threshold values were calculated. 1. The number of fungiform papillae was the largest at the anterior examination area, followed by right lateral, left lateral, posterior and central. Women had more fungiform papillae than men at anterior, right lateral, and center areas. Subjects in twenties showed more fungiform papillae than those in thirties at anterior, right lateral, and left lateral areas. 2. Anterior area of the tongue measured the lowest electrogustometric threshold, followed by left lateral, right lateral, posterior and center. The threshold was higher in men at anterior and right lateral areas. The subjects in thirties had higher threshold only at right lateral area than those in twenties. 3. Electrogustometric threshold was inversely correlated with the number of fungiform papillae at anterior and posterior areas. The results showed that the number of fungiform papillae and taste threshold varied according to tongue locus, and they were influenced by age and gender. The results also suggested that the number of fungiform papillae was related to electrogustometric threshold inversely.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.176-180
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• 1986

A study was carried out to investigate the threshold values of four taste qualities by using electrogustometer for Korean female college students. The mean values of taste threshold before the treatments were for $7.5{\mu}A$, sweet taste area, $19.6{\mu}A$, salty taste area, $23.5{\mu}A$, sour taste area, $18.4{\mu}A$, bitter taste area and $50.7{\mu}A$, middle area, respectively. The thresholds of taste for the each area of tongue of the after-treatments were more sensitive than those of the before-treatments except the after-treatment with sodium chloride in which the sensitivity was much reduced. There were no significant differences between the thresholds of left and right side of the tongue. (p＜0.05). Taste qualities of electrical stimuli were also evaluated by using electrogustometer. The major tastes (Approx. 90%) of the feelings for the electrical stimuli were metallic, sour, bitter and salty.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.177-185
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• 2007

Iatrogenic injury following dental treatments and the use of local anesthetics may cause taste disorders. The aims of this study were to investigate quantitative and qualitative changes of taste due to unilateral inferior alveolar nerve block anesthesia and further to evaluate potential effects on taste function related to anesthesia or hypoesthesia of inferior alveolar nerve, possibly occurring after dental procedure. 30 healthy volunteers in their twenties participated in this study (male to female = 1:1, mean age of $24.0{\pm}1.8$ years). Each subject received inferior alveolar nerve block anesthesia on his or her right side with 2% lidocaine HCl containing 1:100,000 epinephrine. Before and after anesthesia, electrogustometric test and chemical localized test for salty, sweet, sour and bitter tastes were performed on the eight sites in the oral cavity; right and left anterior and lateral tongue and circumvallate papilla of the tongue and soft palate. Unilateral inferior alveolar nerve anesthesia produced elevation of electrical taste threshold and reduction of intensity ratings for all 4 tastes (salty, sweet, sour and bitter) over anterior and lateral tongue and circumvallate papilla on the ipsilateral side (p<0.05). Contralateral sides exhibited decreased intensity ratings for salty and sweet taste (p<0.05) on anterior and lateral tongue while there was no significant difference in electrogustometric testing. Based on the results of this study, it is assumed that unilateral local anesthesia on inferior alveolar nerve can affect chorda tympani and glossopharyngeal nerves on the same side, leading to taste deficits. Taste intensity on the contralateral side may, in part, be deteriorated as well.