On the presence, structure and probable functional role of taste buds located on the laryngeal surface of the epiglottis in some domestic animals.

The authors have performed a systematic investigation on the epiglottis to determine the number and topography of taste buds possibly present. These chemoreceptors are constantly present in the ruminants studied (goat, cattle), while their finding is always negative in the pig, horse and ass and varying in the other animal species examined. Taste buds are, in the main, fairly numerous and show typical structure in very young kids and calves. On the contrary, in adult subjects degenerated taste buds can be found and their number usually increases with age. Sometimes such pictures can be observed also in young animals. The probable functional role of chemoreceptors located on the laryngeal surface of the epiglottis has been examined.