title: [Capillary networks and osmotic uptake in fungiform papillae].
abstract: In the research it has been tested the ability of convoluted capillary network of the fungiform papillae to act as countercurrent ionic exchanger and therefore to give rise a water uptake from the external environment. Manometric determinations of the water inflow during immersion of the tongue in solutions of different osmolality have shown a conspicuous water uptake, osmotic in nature and largely supported by the Na+ absorbed from the external solutions. The Na+ inhibits also the receptor electrical response to the stimulating Ca++ solutions. These observations show that the papillae can be considered as osmotic devices and emphasise also that the Na+ is directly involved in the papillary functional activity.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002196:Capillaries / Q000378:metabolism; D008365:Manometry; D009995:Osmosis; D011893:Rana esculenta; D012964:Sodium / Q000378:metabolism; D014059:Tongue / Q000098:blood supply*; D014867:Water / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D014867:Water; D012964:Sodium; D002118:Calcium
vernacular_title: Rete capillare e richiamo osmotico delle papille fungiformi.