Three dimensional observations on the taste buds in rabbits.

Abstract

The light microscopic structure of the papilla foliata from adult rabbits was studied three-dimensionally. Use was made of Epon embedded serial sections 0.5 to 1.0μ thick prepared by an ultramicrotome and stained with 0.5% toluidin blue in a buffer solution of MILLONIG. The results obtained were as follows.1. The distribution and arrangement of the type I (gustatory) cells and the type II (sustentacular) cells in the taste buds were fairly uniform as well as regular. The type II cells distributed uniformly in the taste bud were always surrounded by two to four cells of type I cells which were relatively small in size. Observation of the vertical or diagonal sections passing the canal of a taste bud revealed light (type II) cells and dark (type I) cells alternatively arranged in the upper half of the organ.2. The presence of cells in mitosis was recognized in the taste buds; these cells showed an arrangement of chromosomes characteristic of the anaphase stage, and were in structure, size and stainability, very akin to the type II cells.3. Occurrence of the binucleate cells was observed exclusively in type II cells; and these twin nuclei showed all the features suggesting amitosis.4. The size of the taste buds showed a wide variation (15-60μ). Among the large sized, there occasionally occurred taste buds with two pores.5. A conclusion was drawn from the foregoing results that proliferation of the taste bud cells did not depend solely on the development of the peripheral epithelium, but to some extent on the division in situ of the taste bud cells themselves.