Abstract
Summary
Parotid gland secretion rate was employed for measuring human response to gustatory stimuli. Flow rate had a linear relationship to logarithm of frequency of stimulation (swabs/min). Increasing concentration of gustatory stimuli resulted in increased rates of secretion. The response was linear throughout for sucrose and quinine, but with citric acid and sodium chloride it was linear only with lower concentrations. Mathematical expression of relationship between glandular secretion rate and frequency of stimulation permitted calculation of maximal response and reflex equilibrium constants for the various stimuli employed. Results indicated that at least 3 different gustato-salivary reflex pathways were involved.
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