Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

Biology of taste buds and the clinical problem of taste loss

1998; Wiley; Volume: 253; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1002/(sici)1097-0185(199806)253

1097-0185

Gina M. Nelson,

Advanced Chemical Sensor Technologies

The Anatomical RecordVolume 253, Issue 3 p. 70-78 Feature ArticleFree Access Biology of taste buds and the clinical problem of taste loss† Gina M. Nelson, Gina M. NelsonSearch for more papers by this author Gina M. Nelson, Gina M. NelsonSearch for more papers by this author First published: 26 December 2002 https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1097-0185(199806)253:3 3.0.CO;2-ICitations: 43 † Dr. Nelson has long had an interest in chemoreceptive sciences, beginning with invertebrate chemoreception. She has an MD and PhD from the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, where she developed an animal model of radiation-induced taste loss. Dr. Nelson is currently a resident in anatomic pathology at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics and plans to continue work on the animal model and human studies in taste loss through the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology after residency. AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Abstract Taste buds are the anatomical structures that mediate the sense of taste. They comprise taste cells and nerve fibers within specialized epithelial structures. Taste cells are traditionally described by histologic methods as basal, dark, intermediate, and light cells, with the nerve fibers surrounding and infiltrating the taste buds. By means of immunohistochemical methods, taste cells and gustatory nerve fibers can be classified in functional groups based on the expression of various cell adhesion molecules and other proteins. When taste buds become damaged, the loss of the ability to taste results. This loss is not uncommon and can impact health and quality of life. Patients who receive radiation therapy for head and neck cancer often experience taste loss, which leads to compromised nutritional intake and a worse outcome than patients who do not experience taste loss. The mode of radiation damage to taste cells and nerve fibers has been investigated using cell adhesion molecules, synaptic vesicle proteins, and other cell markers. The light and intermediate cells are preferentially affected by ionizing radiation, whereas the nerve fibers remain structurally intact. Experimental studies of radiation-induced taste loss are performed via a unique animal/human model. Anat. Rec. (New Anat.) 253:70–78, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc. Citing Literature Volume253, Issue3June 1998Pages 70-78 ReferencesRelatedInformation