IN THE SPIRIT OF SANTA CLAUS AND THE EASTER BUNNY, HERE’S ANOTHER MYTH BUSTER: THE MAP OF THE TONGUE IS WRONG!
Contrary to popular understanding, each area of the tongue is not exclusively responsible for one basic taste. The prevailing thought was, prior to 1974, that the tongue could be mapped into 4 (and later, 5) distinct sensations: sugary (tip of the tongue); salty (front sides); sour (back sides); and bitter (back). This was the result a scientific paper written in 1942 by psychology historian, Edwin G. Boring, who based his findings on a mistranslation of a paper by German scientist, D.P. Hanig, published in 1901.
The fact is that these taste qualities are detected on all surfaces of the tongue as well as the soft palate, the back of the throat, and the epiglottal flap that closes off the windpipe. In other words, anywhere there are taste buds. Specific sensitivity has been proven insignificant. So much for the makers of wine glasses that market their ‘map tongue’ influenced designs!
To read more about this fascinating subject, here are two links, one
from Scientific American; the other Live Science.
Posted by: Kerry
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