title: Comparison of fungiform taste-bud distribution among age groups using confocal laser scanning microscopy in vivo in combination with gustatory function.
abstract: The aim of this study was to compare the distribution of taste buds in fungiform papillae (FP) and gustatory function between young and elderly age groups. Confocal laser scanning microscopy was used because it allows many FP to be observed non-invasively in a short period of time. The age of participants (n = 211) varied from 20 to 83 yr. The tip and midlateral region of the tongue were observed. Taste buds in an average of 10 FP in each area were counted. A total of 2,350 FP at the tongue tip and 2,592 FP in the midlateral region could be observed. The average number of taste buds was similar among all age groups both at the tongue tip and in the midlateral region. The taste function, measured by electrogustometry, among participants 20-29 yr of age was significantly lower than that in the other age groups; however, there was no difference among any other age groups in taste function. These results indicate that the peripheral gustatory system is well maintained anatomically and functionally in elderly people.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan.|Research and Education Program for Life Science, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan.
authors.forename: Takehisa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Saito
authors.affiliation: Research and Education Program for Life Science, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan.|Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan.
authors.forename: Tetsufumi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ito
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan.
authors.forename: Yumi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ito
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan.
authors.forename: Yasuhiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Manabe
authors.affiliation: Division of Dentistry and Oral Surgery, Department of Sensory and Locomotor Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan.
authors.forename: Kazuo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sano
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006801:Humans; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008875:Middle Aged; D013649:Taste; D013650:Taste Buds; D014059:Tongue; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: confocal laser scanning microscopy; electrogustometry; fungiform papilla; taste bud