The Quantitative Measurement of Taste Function

Abstract

In stapes surgery, the chorda may be stretched or cut to improve visualization of the footplate. There have been many instances of subjective and qualitative taste changes postoperatively. By means of a modified electronic gustometer, we compared changes in taste threshold before and after surgery and related them to reports of trauma to the nerve. Recent texts describe as many as 5 alternate pathways for taste impulses from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue.¹While taste has been related to the trigeminal nerve, Cushing's conclusions that all of the taste fibers from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue travel in the chorda seem most acceptable (Fig. 1).^1-3Other afferent fibers in the chorda carry pain and special somesthetic sensation.³Efferent autonomic fibers innervate the submaxillary and sublingual salivary glands. Chemical solutions diffuse rapidly through the mouth,^1,4-8making localized taste-testing difficult. Another objection to the use of