The number and distribution of fungiform papillae and taste buds after lingual nerve injuries in cats.

Taste buds and the papillae that carry them are trophically dependent upon an intact innervation. The number and size of fungiform papillae and the number of taste buds on their surface were determined 3 months after crushing or sectioning the combined trunk of the chorda tympani and lingual nerves. After crushing there were fewer fungiform papillae but their size and number of taste buds were similar to that on the unoperated side. After nerve section there were considerably fewer recognizable fungiform papillae on the operated side and each carried a reduced number of taste buds.