Is my tongue my doctor? What diseases can be identified by the organ of taste?

Taste organ and taste perception

The formation of a taste sensation occurs due to the perception of taste stimuli by the receptors of the papillae of the tongue. Certain areas of the tongue are responsible for each type of stimulus. Sweet is perceived by the receptors of the tip of the tongue, sour by its lateral zones, bitter by the root of the tongue, salty by the tip of the tongue and its lateral surfaces [1, 9].

On the back and lateral surfaces of the tongue there are various groups of papillae (see figure).

Figure 1. Papillae of the tongue (diagram) according to H. Fenish (cited from [1]).
Filiform and cone-shaped papillae perceive tactile and temperature stimuli, and also perform a mechanical function; mushroom-shaped, grooved (grooved) and leaf-shaped - flavoring. Additionally, lentiform papillae (papillae lentiformes) are also distinguished.
The filiform papillae are the most numerous, located on the dorsal surface of the tongue in the transverse direction in parallel rows, tightly adjacent to each other, so the surface of the tongue has a velvety appearance. In the region of the root of the tongue, these rows of filiform papillae repeat the pattern of the V-shaped groove separating the body of the tongue from its root. As has been established by a number of researchers [1, 6], the sensory function of the papillae is provided by neurofilament protein and protein S-100. The filiform papillae include the lamina propria and epithelium. Each papilla consists of a primary papilla formed by the lamina propria, from which smaller secondary papillae of the lamina propria arise. The primary papilla is covered by epithelium, which also covers each secondary papilla. The name “filiform papillae” is due to the fact that the areas of the epithelium covering the secondary papillae resemble filaments in structure [1]. At the top of the papilla, the threads are split in the form of a “comb”. These areas consist of a substance similar to horny tissue. The epithelium covering the filiform papillae becomes keratinized. The process of desquamation of the surface layer of the epithelium of the filiform papillae is an expression of physiological regeneration. If the function of the digestive organs is impaired, or with general inflammatory or infectious diseases, the rejection of the surface layer of the epithelium of the filiform papillae slows down, the tongue becomes “coated.” The same is observed with tongue inactivity [1, 6, 9].

Cone-shaped papillae are a special type of filiform papillae, differing in the anatomical structure of the apex. In contrast to the “comb” of filiform papillae, their unsplit conical apex is curved backwards at the tip.

Fungiform papillae are located at the tip of the tongue, leaf-shaped papillae are located on the sides, and groove-shaped papillae are located on the root [1, 3, 9]. The latter are surrounded by a roller into which the secretion of small protein glands opens. This is necessary, firstly, to remove food particles from the surface of the papilla, and secondly, in this case the dissolved substance is better perceived by the receptor. This is why poor tongue hygiene reduces its taste sensitivity.

There are fewer fungiform papillae than filiform papillae [1]. These papillae are few in number and randomly scattered among the filiform ones. They are observed more on the tip of the tongue than in other parts of it. They have a narrow base and a widened top. In the region of the epithelium of the apex of the papilla there are taste buds. The largest number of them is located in the area of ​​the tip of the tongue. Each fungiform papilla is formed by its own plate and is called the primary papilla, from which the secondary papilla projects into the integumentary epithelium. However, the surface of their epithelium does not follow the contours of the secondary papillae in the lamina propria, as is observed in filiform papillae. Therefore, the secondary papillae of the lamina propria bring capillaries close to the surface of the epithelium. The covering epithelium of these papillae is relatively transparent, since it does not keratinize [1]. Due to this, the blood in the vessels passing through the high secondary papillae becomes translucent, giving them a red color during life. Normally, the fungiform papillae are pale pink in color and do not stand out above the level of the filiform papillae. In pathology - bright red, hyperplastic; may be the initial stage in the development of erosions and ulcers on the tongue. In case of systemic disorders due to damage to these papillae, loss of taste sensitivity is often observed [1, 2, 9]. Perhaps they are interconnected with the endocrine system. In the thickness of the papillae themselves, a large number of Merkel bodies responsible for sensory function are determined.

They are very similar to mushroom-shaped lentiform papillae, which are wide flat caps on a very short stalk [1]. Their function has not been studied; they suggest a role in the formation of taste sensations. The circumvallate papillae are also organs of taste, numbering 8-15, they are located on the border between the root and body of the tongue, close to each other in a V-shaped terminal groove, and do not protrude above the surface of the mucous membrane. The ridge of mucous membrane surrounding each papilla is separated from it by a deep groove into which the excretory ducts of the small serous salivary glands of Ebner open. This “ditch” is filled with liquid and is cleared of various particles due to the activity of glands located deeper than the papilla, which open through ducts at the bottom of the “ditch”. Each circumvallate papilla consists of a centrally located primary papilla (formed by the lamina propria). The secondary papillae of the lamina propria protrude from it, protruding into the stratified squamous epithelium that covers the entire surface of the papilla [1]. The circumvallate papillae in the areas of their attachment are narrower than on the free surface and resemble mushroom-shaped papillae in shape. The epithelium of the papilla contains a taste bud containing a large amount of acetylcholinesterase and acid phosphatase, which indicates their importance in the conduction of taste stimulation. Leaf-shaped papillae in the form of 3-8 parallel folds 2-5 mm long are located at the base of the lateral surface of the tongue. They are separated by slits into which the ducts of the serous salivary glands open. Fibrous connective tissue forms the basis of the leaf-shaped papillae of the tongue. It forms secondary protrusions that penetrate the epithelium.

In the epithelium of the papillae, oval-shaped taste buds are revealed, their base adjacent to the basement membrane and reaching their apices to the surface of the epithelium, separated from it by 2-3 rows of flat epithelial cells. In the space separating the leaf-shaped papillae, the ducts of the protein glands open. In the area of ​​the tip of the tongue there are mixed mucous glands, which open through several excretory ducts on the lower surface of the tongue [1].

Scheme of perception of taste sensation

Taste bud - taste bud - microvilli membrane - receptor proteins - ion composition changes - signal of irritation to the cerebral cortex - taste perception.

Determination of the taste sensitivity of the tongue

Gustometry - determination of the threshold of taste sensitivity of the tongue. Gustometry is carried out to determine the state of the organ (taste buds of the tongue and the central link in the perception of taste sensations). Gustometry is also a criterion for assessing the quality of tongue cleaning, since it has been found that after high-quality tongue hygiene, taste sensitivity increases. Gustometry is carried out using various substances - taste irritants [9].

The minimum concentration of a chemical substance that causes a taste sensation when applied to the entire surface of the tongue is called the taste threshold.

Normal threshold sensitivity values ​​are:

- for sweets - 1-2% glucose solution;

- for sour - 0.1-0.2% solution of tartaric acid;

- for salty food - 0.1-0.2% solution of table salt;

- for bitters - 0.001-0.002% solution of quinine hydrochloride.

Reagents used for density testing: glucose solution 0.5, 1, 2, 10, 20%; table salt solution 0.15, 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1%; tartaric acid solution 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1%; solution of quinine hydrochloride 0.00025, 0.001, 0.002, 0.01%.

When carrying out density testing, the application of irritants is carried out in the following sequence: sweet, salty, sour, bitter, starting from the minimum concentration in increasing order. Patients are asked to rinse their mouth with distilled water and stick out their tongue as much as possible. Then the back of the tongue is dried with filter paper. Using a pipette, apply a drop of irritant solutions to the lateral surfaces and tip of the tongue. Simultaneously with the application of the stimulus, the stopwatch is started with the left hand. The stopwatch is turned off as soon as the subject begins to answer about the quality of the stimulus.

The sensation of taste may vary depending on the mass fraction of the substance. For example, a solution of table salt below a threshold concentration is perceived as sweet. The threshold of taste sensitivity also depends on the temperature of the solution and is maximum at 37°C.

For high-quality density testing, patients are not recommended to take alcoholic beverages or foods with persistent aromatic characteristics 2-3 days before the start of the study.

Changes in taste sensitivity

Reduced taste sensitivity to all or individual substances is called hypogeusia,

and unusually high sensitivity -
hypergeusia.
The perverted ability to perceive a taste that is unusual for a given substance or group of substances is designated by the term
parageusia.
The complete loss of all sense of taste is called
ageusia.
These disorders concern all types of taste sensitivity (sweet, salty, sour, bitter) or only some of them [14, 15].

Parageusia

— Congenital — taste color blindness (in hereditary diseases).

— Acquired: 1) post-traumatic; 2) for various somatic diseases.

— Temporary: 1) during pregnancy; 2) when taking certain medications; 3) when using certain oral antiseptics (chlorhexidine, listerine); 4) after eating certain foods.

An example of temporary parageusia: after eating pineapples and artichokes, a temporary disturbance in taste perception occurs.

Artichokes, as scientists have discovered, contain the chemical cynarin .

which in most people disrupts the sense of taste and also increases the sensitivity of the tongue papillae to sweets. Disorders of taste sensitivity can occur with lesions of the oral mucosa, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, peripheral nerves, and central nervous system.

In any process accompanied by increased desquamation or temporary loss of epithelium on the tongue (erythema multiforme exudative, leukoplakia, lichen planus, stomatitis, xerostomia, etc.), a weakening or loss of taste may occur. Atrophic processes in the tongue due to gastrointestinal diseases and vitamin deficiencies also lead to a decrease in taste. In this case, taste sensitivity is restored only with the regeneration of the papillae of the tongue.

A sour taste in the mouth may appear in patients with galvanism. Various ulcerative-necrotic and purulent processes in the oral cavity with ulcerative-necrotic gingivitis, periodontitis, tonsillitis can also lead to an unpleasant taste in the mouth. In this case, taste sensitivity does not change, but only a source of unpleasant taste appears.

With hepatocholecystitis and gastritis, patients may experience a feeling of bitter and sour taste in the oral cavity. If a patient has a unilateral taste disturbance in the anterior 2/3 of the tongue, this indicates damage to the peripheral nerve - the chorda tympani, lingual nerve, facial nerve, solitary fasciculus [12, 14]. Simultaneously with damage to the peripheral taste nerves, other types of innervation are usually disrupted, which makes it possible to determine the location of the lesion (for example, when the lingual nerve is damaged, all types of superficial sensitivity of the tongue are disrupted) [13]. This is due to the fact that taste fibers are located next to other fibers almost throughout their entire path.

In chronic otitis and epitympanitis, isolated damage to only the chorda tympani is sometimes observed in the form of a decrease or distortion of the sensitivity of the tongue. Taste disturbance in the posterior third of the tongue, the soft palate, indicates damage to the glossopharyngeal nerve. Bilateral, less often unilateral, complete loss of taste occurs with organic lesions of the central nervous system (brain tumors, neurosyphilis) [5]. Perversion of taste or loss of taste is not uncommon in hysteria.

Changes in taste during pregnancy

In a pregnant woman, after the attachment of the egg to the mucous membrane of the uterus, a so-called dominant pregnancy arises - a focus of excitation in the brain, caused by the constant flow of signals from the uterus to the brain. At the hormonal level, the dominant is supported by increased production of progesterone [17, 19].

Progesterone is synthesized by the ovaries, placenta and adrenal cortex. From the moment the fertilized egg attaches to the wall of the uterus, increased production of progesterone begins, which helps maintain pregnancy (suppresses the activity of the smooth muscles of the uterus; acting on the central nervous system, supports the formed dominant of pregnancy; stimulates the preparation of the mammary glands and the growth of the uterus; suppresses the reaction of rejection of the fertilized egg). The content of progesterone in the mother’s blood increases unevenly, doubling by the 7-8th week, and then gradually increasing until 37-38 weeks [18].

With a pathological decrease in progesterone levels, replacement therapy is required. An increase in the level of the hormone indicates the presence of renal failure (impaired excretion). The production of progesterone stops completely only with advanced changes in the placenta, for example, with frozen pregnancy [16, 20].

Elevated levels of progesterone trigger a cascade of biochemical changes in the body.

In this regard, the body “automatically” determines the lack of certain substances, vitamins and microelements. As a result, the expectant mother’s body is given a “command” to satisfy the deficit, causing the “necessary” need. For example, with a lack of calcium there is a desire to eat chalk, with a deficiency of ascorbic and folic acid - green vegetables, with a lack of B vitamins - a desire to drink beer [4]. At the same time, a woman should not eat anything that will be harmful to her or the child [16, 21]. To achieve this, changes occur in the gastrointestinal tract that facilitate the process of rejection of currently unsuitable food and prolong the process of processing suitable food [7]. Some scientists [18, 21] have found that nausea, vomiting and altered taste preferences during pregnancy perform a beneficial function: it is a natural mechanism for protecting the expectant mother and fetus from painful conditions caused by food, as well as protecting the fetus from harmful substances that can negatively affect the formation of its organs and tissues. Their findings explain why many pregnant women develop an aversion to meat, certain vegetables and caffeinated drinks, and a preference for mildly flavored foods. Thus, with the help of aversion to food, protection against toxins produced by microorganisms and other teratogenic (causing defects in fetal development) substances is also formed [11].

At the same time, during the first 3 months of pregnancy, embryonic cells differentiate and begin to form structures that, during the critical stage of new life development, can be adversely affected by teratogenic substances contained in some plants [6, 8]. Their components can also have a negative effect on the course of pregnancy: for example, parsley can cause uterine contractions and provoke the threat of miscarriage. It is no coincidence that a pregnant woman’s body often rejects spices.

Parageusia during pregnancy may be caused by central discordination of taste sensations [3, 6]. Its mechanism is not fully understood. With hypergeusia in pregnant women, the body seems to be “programmed” to perceive only certain taste sensations associated with the intake of necessary substances into the body. Hypogeusia in pregnancy may be associated with a dense layer of viscous, protein-rich residual saliva on the dorsum of the tongue and poor oral hygiene [4]. A decrease in taste sensitivity is often associated with a strong coating of the tongue and extensive lesions of its leukoplakia, since this makes it difficult for taste substances to reach the taste buds [6]. Hypogeusia in pregnancy has not been well studied, but researchers increasingly associate it with poor tongue hygiene [10, 12].

If your tongue hurts or burns

In many cases, painful sensations in the tongue appear as a result of not following a balanced diet. In particular, pain can occur due to a lack of iron, vitamins B6, B3 (PP) and B12.

A burning sensation on the surface of the muscle may indicate that the stomach is producing too few digestive juices, so this symptom usually indicates a malfunction of the gastrointestinal tract.

Sometimes, if the tongue looks no different, but there is a burning sensation, this may indicate a hormonal imbalance. By the way, women experience this symptom almost 7 times more often than men. In addition, the burning sensation may be the result of an allergy to the wrong toothpaste.

Treatment

The diagnostic result allows you to prescribe treatment. Therapeutic dentistry has new methods and technologies that will return the patient to health.

• The patient is advised to adjust his diet and reduce spicy and sour foods in his diet. Dishes should not be hot.
• Fillings and dentures that injure the mucous membranes need to be replaced.
• You should have your oral cavity professionally sanitized.
• Remove soft and hard deposits on crowns.
• Cure caries, gum inflammation.

The therapeutic course may include taking antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and a course of treatment for diseases of internal organs. Regular visits to the dentist are a way to prevent oral problems and complications of existing diseases.

An injured, inflamed muscle organ requires tissue regeneration. For this purpose, drugs containing carotene are prescribed: Aekol, Retinol, Chlorophyllipt, Lugol. Ointment applications are made from Solcoseryl and Cholisal. For pain, anesthetics are used: Trimecaine solution, Anastezin emulsion. Patients are recommended medications to stimulate the body's defenses and vitamins.

If the disease is infectious, a scraping is first done. A pathogenic microorganism is identified in the laboratory. Then therapy is carried out according to the obtained strains. Candidiasis is eliminated with fluconazole. Acyclovir is prescribed against herpes. Metrogil-denta treats protozoal infections.

Are there taste simulation technologies?

Experiments with taste have long entertained scientists. Thus, the Vocktail programmable cocktail glass with the bluetooth application of the same name offers to simulate any drink using ordinary water: LED lighting provides the required color, a rim of electrodes that stimulate the tongue - taste, and a device with air compartments and a tiny pump that turns on when a person drinks, provide the appropriate smell.

But still, the most promising experiments from a philistine point of view are working with tastes themselves. Let's return to the experiment from the beginning of the article, which was conducted by Catherine Ohla at the Monell Chemoreception Research Center. She showed subjects pictures of high-calorie foods—salmon, lamb chops—or low-calorie foods like beans and yogurt. After each picture, a weak electric shock was applied to the subject's tongue. Judging by the EEG of brain activity, the discharge after the demonstration of a high-calorie food caused a stronger and more pleasant sensation in the subjects than the same stimulation after a picture of some melon.

That is, to make a fortune, scientists just need to find a way to give broccoli the taste (and preferably also the look, smell and texture) of pork.

Of course, you can work in the opposite direction: after a month on a low-fat diet, subjects become more sensitive to their taste - but this is not for us. No, no, not for us.

Entire corporations are busy “counterfeiting” taste: how to replace sugar, salt, fat so that no one gets angry at the substitution, and also to accustom people to substitutes? The same taste that lies to us whenever it wants, in the case of too harmful products, for some reason does not want to play along. All that remains is to connect the electrodes to the brain, watch how the artificial tongue tastes the synthetic pizza - and try to enjoy it.

Diagnostics

Basic diagnostic methods in dentistry allow a thorough examination to be made in order to make the correct diagnosis. During the initial examination, the dentist determines the size of the pathological zones, appearance, color, and shape of the organ. The doctor finds out whether there is swelling of the tongue, ascertains plaque and its localization, abrasions, punctures, eczema, ulcers. The health of gum tissue and teeth is important.

In order to determine the type of pathogen and the form of the disease, a number of tests are prescribed:

1. Histological smear;
2. Sensitivity is determined using a special test;
3. A general blood test is informative;

Systemic pathologists are also excluded: HIV, syphilis, hepatitis, AIDS. If necessary, the patient is referred for consultation to a gastroenterologist, dermatologist, endocrinologist, otolaryngologist, or immunologist.

Inflammation of the papillae on a child's tongue

If the child’s body is weakened and he complains of discomfort in the mouth and pain in the muscle organ, parents should immediately show him to the pediatrician and pediatric dentist. The doctor will determine whether his papillae are red and whether there is an inflammatory process in the mouth. Once the diagnosis is made, therapy is prescribed. As a preventive measure, parents should ensure that the baby regularly brushes his teeth and rinses his mouth thoroughly. Children's immunity is not strong enough, so the body cannot cope with the disease on its own. The situation is complicated by the fact that children are curious; they put most objects in their mouths. To avoid serious complications, take your child to the dentist regularly.

What does tongue size tell you?

If we carry out diagnostics based on the appearance of the tongue, then experts also advise paying attention to its size. If it is excessively large and swollen (touches the corners of the mouth), you should check for problems with the heart, thyroid gland, spleen, kidneys.

The tongue increases in size with anemia, allergies, or if for some other reason the whole body swells in a person, as well as in people who are overly nervous. Swollen veins under the tip of the muscle may indicate heart failure.

If the tongue is smaller than normal size, then it is quite possible that the body is suffering from a deficiency of vitamins and minerals, and this may also be a symptom of a very weakened immune system.

Can robots recognize taste?

Taste is almost impossible to measure objectively - there is and cannot be any “objective” here. Nevertheless, the development and improvement of an artificial language that could taste like a real one has been going on for several years now.

There already exist both industrial sensors tuned to specific tastes and entire electrical languages. These are not human tongue prostheses: they are not necessary; Partial transplantation of a lost tongue is carried out by cutting out a new one from the patient’s own tissue, and in 2003 a donor tongue was transplanted for the first time.

Artificial languages ​​are a way to both test and evaluate food samples and potentially communicate taste over a distance.

Quality control in agriculture and industry, instant exchange of information, development of new tastes, and at least the ability to remotely taste mangoes in a supermarket (if it is possible to establish the supply of information about taste without implanting electrodes in the brain) - artificial languages ​​will be useful to humanity. True, one day such an electric taster identified a human hand as prosciutto, which caused a flurry of jokes about cannibal robots.

Specific Prerequisites

A metallic taste in the mouth does not always indicate some kind of internal pathology or the presence of a household provocateur. Specific factors can influence the perceptions of both women and men. Among them:

1. Taking medications
   . The iron taste appears due to medications with toxic effects that inhibit liver function. These include Tetracycline, Metronidazole, Lansporazole and some types of dietary supplements.
2. Professional activity
   . Harmful substances that a person works with constantly accumulate in his body and provoke various side effects, including coughing and a sour, bitter or aluminum taste. Particularly dangerous chemical elements include zinc, arsenic, cadmium, pigs, mercury, and copper. Some of the listed substances are often used in the manufacture of paints.
3. Diets
   . Prolonged fasts combined with insufficient fluid intake lead to dehydration, which disrupts metabolic processes. As a result, a person feels constant weakness, dizziness and a taste of aluminum.

What about your taste buds?

On the surface of the tongue there are thousands of small pimples - these are papillae. All of them can be divided into 6 groups, each of which plays its own role, including the ability to distinguish four basic tastes: sweet, salty, bitter and sour.

Interestingly, over time, taste buds “wear out,” but if a person is healthy, they are replaced by new “pimples.” At a young age, this process occurs quite quickly, and after 45 years, as a rule, it slows down.

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Therefore, with age, a person ceases to distinguish tastes and aromas so keenly. But sometimes the inability to taste food is not just due to age. Loss of sensitivity in taste buds may be a symptom of a bacterial infection in the digestive tract or indicate problems with the pancreas.