epithelial cells in taste buds
The taste buds of the tongue occur within papillae (foliate, fungiform, and vallate) present in the stratified squamous epithelium of the tongue. The taste buds consist of basal cells (near the basal lamina), supporting cells, and gustatory cells (sensory or neuroepithelial cells).The gustatory cells, which can be distinguished from supporting cells with a specific staining only, have microvilli at their apical ends extending in the taste pore.he 20X and 40X micrographs show in detail the layers of squamous stratified epithelium, the foliate papillae, and the taste bud. In the 40X micrograph the cells of the taste buds and its taste pore are visible. Â© 2004 Texas Histopages.