Meeting Abstract

47-4  Tuesday, Jan. 5 11:00  Fluid mechanics of taste NOEL, A.*; IMGRUND, J.; ZHONG, X.; SAHA, R.; HU, D.L.; Georgia Institute of Technology; Georgia Institute of Technology; Georgia Institute of Technology; Georgia Institute of Technology; Georgia Institute of Technology alexis.noel@gatech.edu

Saliva plays a key role in maintaining oral health as well as aiding in digestion, speech and sensation. Lack of saliva, also known as dry mouth syndrome, increases risk of tooth decay and alters sense of taste; nearly 10% of the general population suffer from this syndrome. In this experimental study, we investigate the spreading of fluids on wet and dry tongues. We have found that fluids flow faster on a flooded tongue than a dried tongue. By using fluorescent particles, we are able to see the flow of fluids into the taste receptors embedded in the tongue. The role of papillae height and spacing is also analyzed across a variety of animal species.