Taste perception refers to the process by which our brain interprets and gives meaning to the sensory information detected by taste buds on our tongue. It involves identifying different tastes such as sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami.
The gustatory system includes all the structures involved in taste perception such as taste buds on the tongue, papillae, and nerve pathways that transmit signals from taste buds to the brain.
Synesthesia is a neurological condition where stimulation of one sensory or cognitive pathway leads to automatic experiences in another unrelated pathway. In this case, someone with synesthesia may experience tastes when they see certain colors or hear particular sounds.
Cross-modal Perception: Cross-modal perception refers to how our senses interact with each other. In terms of taste perception, it explores how stimuli from other senses (such as vision or smell) can influence our perception of taste.