THE SENSES. 



173 



7 We Goblets. In the circumvallate papillae of the tongue of man 

 peculiar structures known as gustatory buds or taste goblets, have been 

 discovered (Loven, Schwalbe). They are of an oval shape, and consist of 

 a number of closely packed, very narrow and fusiform, cells (gustatory 

 cells). This central core of gustatory cells is enclosed in a single layer of 

 broader fusiform cells (encasing cells). The gustatory cells terminate in 

 fine spikes not unlike cilia, which project on the free surface (Fig. 353). 



These bodies also occur side by side in considerable numbers in the 



FIG. 353. Taste-goblet from dog's epiglottis (laryngeal surface near the base), precisely similar 

 in structure to those found in the tongue, a, depression in epithelium over goblet; oelow the letter 

 are seen the fine hair-like processes in which the cells terminate; c, two nuclei of the axial (gustatory) 

 cells. The more superficial nuclei belong to the superficial (encasing) cells; the converging lines in- 

 dicate the fusiform shape of the encasing cells. X 400. (Schofield.) 



epithelium of the papilla foliata, which is situated near the root of the 

 tongue in the rabbit, and also in man. Similar "taste-goblets" also occur 

 pretty evenly distributed on the posterior (laryngeal) surface of the epi- 

 glottis (Verson, Schofield). It seems probable, from their distribution, 

 that all these so-called taste-goblets are gustatory in function, though 

 no nerves have been distinctly traced into them. 



Other Functions of the Tongue. Besides the sense of taste, the 

 tongue, by means also of its papillae, is endued, (2) especially at its sides 

 and tip, with a very delicate and accurate sense of touch (p. 164, Vol. 

 II.), which renders it sensible of the impressions of heat and cold, pain 

 and mechaiicial pressure, and consequently of the form of surfaces. The 

 tongue may lose its common sensibility, and still retain the sense of taste, 

 and vice versa. This fact renders it probable that, although the senses 

 of taste and of touch may be exercised by the same papillae supplied by 

 the same nerves, yet the nervous conductors for these two different sen- 

 sations are distinct, just as the nerves for smell and common sensibility 

 in the nostrils are distinct; and it is quite conceivable that the same 

 nervous trunk may contain fibres differing essentially in their specific 

 properties. Facts already detailed (p. 142, Vol. II.) seem to prove that 

 the lingual branch of the fifth nerve is the conductor of sensations of 

 taste in the anterior part of the tongue; and it is also certain, from the 



