Microscopic view of the larynx with glowing chemosensory cells acting as sentinels.

Larynx Sentinels: How Taste Cells in Your Throat Protect Your Lungs

Beau Callahan in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"New research reveals how specialized cells in the larynx act as a first line of defense against respiratory threats, triggering protective reflexes."

Have you ever wondered how your body prevents you from inhaling harmful substances? The upper airways, including the larynx, play a vital role in triggering respiratory reflexes. These reflexes are crucial for protecting your lungs from irritants and potential dangers.

For years, scientists have known about the existence of solitary chemosensory cells (SCCs) and chemosensory cell clusters in the laryngeal mucosa. These specialized cells are similar to taste cells, but their exact distribution and function have remained somewhat mysterious. Now, a groundbreaking study is shedding light on these 'taste' cells in the throat and their critical role in respiratory defense.

This article explores the findings of a recent study that investigated the morphology and distribution of GNAT3-immunoreactive chemosensory cells in the rat larynx. By understanding how these cells work, we can gain valuable insights into the mechanisms that protect our airways.

Unmasking the Larynx's Sensory Landscape: What the Study Revealed

Microscopic view of the larynx with glowing chemosensory cells acting as sentinels.

Researchers at Iwate University in Japan used immunofluorescence to examine the laryngeal mucosa of rats. They focused on identifying cells that were immunoreactive for GNAT3, a protein involved in taste transduction. The goal was to map the location and characteristics of solitary chemosensory cells and chemosensory cell clusters.

The study revealed a detailed map of these protective cells:

GNAT3-immunoreactive solitary chemosensory cells: Primarily found in the mucosa overlying the epiglottic and arytenoid cartilage.
Chemosensory cell clusters: Mainly located on the edge of the epiglottis and aryepiglottic fold.
Cell Morphology: Solitary chemosensory cells were slender, with elongated processes, or had a flask-like/columnar shape. Chemosensory clusters contained between 2 and 14 cells of varying shapes.
Apical Processes: In both solitary cells and cell clusters, the tips of apical processes gathered at a single point on the surface of the epithelium, facing the laryngeal cavity. These tips were immunoreactive for espin, a protein associated with microvilli.

In addition to mapping the cells, the researchers conducted electrophysiological experiments to analyze respiratory reflexes. When a bitter stimulus (quinine hydrochloride) was applied to the larynx, it decreased the respiratory frequency. This suggests that these chemosensory cells are indeed involved in triggering protective responses.

The Larynx: More Than Just a Voice Box

This research provides valuable insights into the complex sensory system of the larynx and emphasizes its role as a crucial protector of the respiratory system. The discovery of GNAT3-immunoreactive chemosensory cells and their response to bitter stimuli highlights the importance of these cells in triggering respiratory reflexes and preventing harmful substances from reaching the lungs. Further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms of these protective cells, paving the way for new strategies to enhance respiratory health.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1111/joa.12914, Alternate LINK

Title: Morphology Of Gnat3-Immunoreactive Chemosensory Cells In The Rat Larynx

Subject: Cell Biology

Journal: Journal of Anatomy

Publisher: Wiley

Authors: Haruka Masuda, Nobuaki Nakamuta, Yoshio Yamamoto

Published: 2018-11-23

Everything You Need To Know

What are the key components within the larynx that help protect our lungs?

The larynx contains specialized cells, specifically GNAT3-immunoreactive solitary chemosensory cells and chemosensory cell clusters, which act as a first line of defense. These cells, similar to taste cells, are located in the laryngeal mucosa and are crucial for detecting potential respiratory threats. The solitary cells are predominantly found in the mucosa over the epiglottic and arytenoid cartilage, while the chemosensory cell clusters are mainly located on the edge of the epiglottis and aryepiglottic fold. Their role is to trigger protective respiratory reflexes, preventing harmful substances from entering the lungs.

Why are the GNAT3-immunoreactive chemosensory cells so important?

The GNAT3-immunoreactive chemosensory cells are significant because they are essential components of the protective mechanisms within the larynx. These cells are responsible for sensing and responding to potentially harmful substances, initiating protective reflexes. The study showed that applying a bitter stimulus (quinine hydrochloride) to the larynx decreased the respiratory frequency, demonstrating the cells' ability to trigger protective responses. This highlights the larynx's role in safeguarding the respiratory system from irritants and potential dangers, emphasizing its function beyond just vocalization.

Where exactly are these GNAT3-immunoreactive chemosensory cells and clusters located, and why is this important?

The distribution of the GNAT3-immunoreactive solitary chemosensory cells and chemosensory cell clusters is strategically located within the larynx to maximize the efficiency of the defense system. The solitary chemosensory cells are found in the mucosa of the epiglottic and arytenoid cartilage, while chemosensory cell clusters are positioned on the edge of the epiglottis and aryepiglottic fold. This placement allows for the immediate detection of substances entering the upper airways. The morphology, with the slender or flask-like solitary cells and the clusters' varying shapes, also plays a role in their function.

How do the experiments with bitter stimuli provide evidence for the function of these chemosensory cells?

Electrophysiological experiments involving bitter stimuli, such as quinine hydrochloride, provide critical evidence for the function of chemosensory cells. The application of quinine hydrochloride to the larynx, as demonstrated by the researchers, decreased the respiratory frequency. This response is indicative of a protective reflex, as the body attempts to prevent the harmful substance from reaching the lungs. These experiments support the understanding that these specialized cells are responsible for detecting and responding to potential irritants in the respiratory tract.

What are the wider implications of this research for respiratory health?

The implications of this research extend to a deeper understanding of respiratory health and potential strategies to enhance it. The findings highlight the complex sensory system of the larynx and its role in safeguarding the lungs. Further research into the mechanisms of these GNAT3-immunoreactive chemosensory cells could lead to the development of new methods to protect the respiratory system. This research contributes valuable knowledge in the area of respiratory health and defense.