|Taste| buds are microscopic onion-shaped clusters of cells buried in the epidermal cell layer of the |papilla|, but do not protrude above the surface. The |taste| buds contain receptor cells that signal information about |taste| characteristics to the central nervous system. Each |taste| bud consists of about thirty to eighty nonnervous cells, many of which are connected to ~nerve~ endings. These cells sense the contents of the |mouth| via small, narrow gustatory pores. |Taste| buds are composed of three different types of cells. The type one cell, also called the dark cell, constitutes 60 to 80% of the cell total. It is believed by many researchers that these are not sensory cells, but act as a supporting system for the other cells. The type two cells (light cells), which constitute 15 to 30% of the cell total, and the type three cells, which constitute 7 to 14%, are considered the true |taste| receptors. |Taste| buds are not confined to the |tongue|. A thin scattering of |taste| buds can be found in many parts of the |mouth|'s |mucous membrane|, including the |epiglottis|, |pharynx|, |larynx|, soft palate, and |uvula|. There are also |taste| buds on the upper third of the |esophagus|. These allow us to |taste| food as it is being swallowed. Altogether, the average adult has about 10,000 |taste| buds.
