A bulging TM may be due to an effusion. In this case, the conduction mechanism is stiff and reflects sound. When the middle ear bones are disconnected, the sound is absorbed. The table below summarizes the 3 kinds of tympanograms one may obtain and some potential conditions that go along with these tympanograms. When talking about taste, one must start with the tongue, Figure 16 .
Humans innately prefer the taste of sweets to all other tastes.
We'll take salty foods equally as well. NO taste buds, here. Each of the types of papillae is illustrated in Figure 16 . Note also that from front to back, the flavors tasted are sweet, salt, sour and bitter. In patients who have cancer, AIDS, hepatitis, ad nauseum, make sure they are taking care of their lips, gums, teeth and tongue so they can consume adequate nutrition.