Effect of contactor area on tactile resolution of the tongue.

Temporal resolution values for the lingual tactile sensory system were obtained from 20 normal adult subjects. Contactor areas of .128 cm2, .32 cm2, and 1.3 cm2 were used to obtain fusion thresholds for all 20 subjects. An analysis of variance indicated no significant differences among fusion thresholds for any of the contactor sizes employed. Results are discussed in comparison to other research concerned with contactor area and in terms of the nature of lingual tactile mechanoreception.