On which part of the tongue is sweetness primarily perceived?

• A. Tip of the tongue
• B. Sides of the tongue
• C. Back of the tongue
• D. Center of the tongue

Answer: (A)

Sweetness is detected by receptors on taste cells all over the tongue, but the front tip is typically the most responsive to sugars. Historically, people learned a tongue map that placed sweet at the tip, and while all areas can sense sweetness, the front portion often gives the strongest signal. Sugar molecules bind to the sweet receptors (T1R2/T1R3) on the taste cells in the front part of the tongue, sending signals via the chorda tympani branch of the facial nerve to the brain, where the sensation of sweetness is perceived. So the tip of the tongue is the best answer.