(ă-gū′zē-ă )

(ă-gū′stē-ă )

[ a- + Gr. geuesthai, to taste]
Absence, partial loss, or impairment of the sense of taste.
SEE: dysgeusia; SEE: hypergeusesthesia; SEE: hypogeusia

ETIOLOGY
Ageusia may be caused by disease of the chorda tympani or of the gustatory fibers, excessive use of condiments, the effect of certain drugs, aging, or lesions involving sensory pathways or taste centers in the brain.

central ageusia

Ageusia due to a cerebral lesion.

conduction ageusia

Ageusia due to a lesion involving sensory nerves of taste.

peripheral ageusia

Ageusia due to a disorder of taste buds of the mucous membrane of tongue.