HISTOLOGY OF THE ORGANS OF SMELL AND TASTE 

©David B. Fankhauser, Ph.D.,
Professor of Biology and Chemistry
University of Cincinnati Clermont College,
Batavia OH 45103
 Olfactory membrane
100x

This page has been accessed Counter times since 17 February 2003. 
25 February 1992, latest revision 3 Jan 1996, 31 Dec 96, 7 Jan 98, 4 Jan 01
 taste buds, 40x
Follow protocol Notebook Illustrations

Slide 12.  Olfactory epithelium (H 1042), ( MF 9th, page 237, 249)

The olfactory mucosa is a pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium located in the superior-most region of the nasal cavity, and contains bipolar olfactory cells whose cilia are embedded in mucus. Chemicals which dissolve in the mucus trigger responses in these cilia which initiate a nervous impulse, interpreted in the brain as an odor. Supporting cells surround the olfactory cells. Mucus-producing Bowman's glands are embedded in the lamina propria. This connective tissue is richly vascularized. Some slides have portions of the cribriform plate of the ethmoid bone included.

Olfactory membrane, 40x



Here is a labled view of the
olfactory epithelium
 Olfactory epithelium and underlying lamina propria, 100x:
olfactory epithelium:
olfactory cells (with deep nuclei)
cilia
supportive cells (with superficial nuclei)
surface mucus 
(looks like a line above surface)
lamina propria:
glands of Bowman (serous)
ducts of these glands
arterioles
venules
[The ethmoid bone is present on some slides, appearing blue.]
Olfactory epithelium and underlying lamina propria, 100x:

Showing details of glands in the lamina propria
Olfactory epithelium, 400x
Note the prominent stereocilia
Olfactory epithelium, 400x
opening of a ducts through the epithelium

Slide 13:  Tongue, taste buds rabbit (70771), ( MF 9th, page 157)

Taste transducing cells are located in taste buds which line the sides of papillae located on the tongue. Microvilli on the surface of the transducing cells react with sweet, salty, acidic or bitter substances to generate a nervous impulse, interpreted in the brain with its specific taste. (Remember that flavor combines taste and odor.) Make two illustrations on the same page one at 100x and one at 400x:

Edge of tongue, showing papillae and striated muscle, 40x                                                     


Here is a labeled view of
the taste bud papillae
 Taste Bud Papillae: 100x:
fungiform papilla
stratified squamous epithelium
taste buds
taste pore
excretory duct [fr. serous alveoli]
nerve tracts
striated muscle
circular furrow ("trench" between papillae)
Taste buds, 400x, Verhoef Stain Here is a labeled version of the taste bud, Verhoef Stain, 400x, . a Taste Bud: ( MF 9th, page 159), 400x:
taste buds
taste pore
taste hairs (microvilli)
lingual mucosa (surrounds buds)
lamina propria

Slide 10:  Vater-Pacini corpuscles, pancreas, H-eosin (H 1688)

Pressure detection:  Pacinian Corpuscles in the pancreas:  Pacinian corpuscles are specialized nerve endings which detect pressure and vibration in an organ.


Here is a labeled view of Pacinian corpuscles.		 Pacinian Corpuscles  (MF 9 th: page 229 and 147) at 100x:

Pacinian corpuscle:
connective tissue capsule
central cavity with numerous lamellae (with flattened nuclei) 
naked dendrite
pancreatic acini