<P> Taste buds contain the taste receptor cells, which are also known as gustatory cells . The taste receptors are located around the small structures known as papillae found on the upper surface of the tongue, soft palate, upper esophagus, the cheek and epiglottis . These structures are involved in detecting the five elements of taste perception: salty, sour, bitter, sweet and umami; through the combination of these elements we detect "flavors ." A popular myth assigns these different tastes to different regions of the tongue; in reality these tastes can be detected by any area of the tongue . Via small openings in the tongue epithelium, called taste pores, parts of the food dissolved in saliva come into contact with the taste receptors . These are located on top of the taste receptor cells that constitute the taste buds . The taste receptor cells send information detected by clusters of various receptors and ion channels to the gustatory areas of the brain via the seventh, ninth and tenth cranial nerves . </P> <P> On average, the human tongue has 2,000--8,000 taste buds . </P> <P> The taste buds on the tongue sit on raised protrusions of the tongue surface called papillae . There are three types of lingual papillae that contain taste buds present on the human tongue: </P> <Ul> <Li> Fungiform papillae - as the name suggests, these are slightly mushroom - shaped if looked at in longitudinal section . These are present mostly at the dorsal surface of the tongue, as well as at the sides . Innervated by facial nerve . </Li> <Li> Foliate papillae - these are ridges and grooves towards the posterior part of the tongue found at the lateral borders . Innervated by facial nerve (anterior papillae) and glossopharyngeal nerve (posterior papillae). </Li> <Li> Circumvallate papillae - there are only about 10 to 14 of these papillae on most people, and they are present at the back of the oral part of the tongue . They are arranged in a circular - shaped row just in front of the sulcus terminalis of the tongue . They are associated with ducts of Von Ebner's glands, and are innervated by the glossopharyngeal nerve . </Li> </Ul>

Where are most of your taste buds located on your tounge