QUANTITATIVE-ANALYSIS OF DEVELOPING EPIGLOTTAL TASTE-BUDS IN SHEEP

  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 130  (JAN) , 25-32
Abstract
Epiglottal taste buds of the sheep increase in number during development, and continue to increase until the epiglottis has reached its adult size. Since the increase in taste bud numbers is paralleled by increase in surface area of the epiglottis, the density of taste buds decreases progressively in the fetus and newborn. After birth the density remains relatively constant. Examination of the morphological stages of epiglottal taste bud development, shows that taste buds are originally produced by de novo formation, but that further increase in numbers is effected by division of existing, developing taste buds. Because of the large number of taste buds, and the careful maintenance of their density on the epiglottis, it is concluded that they have an important functional role in upper airway protective reflexes.