On the human tongue, the sensation of bitter taste is predominantly detected at_____________?
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Answer: C. Back
Explanation
Taste buds sensitive to bitter compounds are predominantly concentrated on the posterior region or back of the tongue. Gustatory innervation maps confirm that circumvallate papillae at the back detect bitter tastes. Physiological taste testing demonstrates heightened sensitivity to bitter substances on the posterior tongue. The human tongue features specialized papillae containing sensory taste buds across its surface. Different taste modalities including sweet, salty, sour, and bitter are perceived across specific regions. Circumvallate papillae form a V-shaped row at the posterior boundary of the tongue body.
Perceiving bitter tastes serves as an evolutionary defense mechanism against ingesting toxic plant alkaloids. Neurological damage to glossopharyngeal nerve pathways affects bitter taste sensation on the back tongue. Clinical taste testing evaluates these regional tongue sensitivities during neurological cranial nerve exams. The tip of the tongue is primarily sensitive to sweet and salty taste stimuli. The sides of the tongue are predominantly responsive to sour taste compounds. The front portion detects sweet tastes rather than concentrating bitter taste bud receptors.
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