Which sensory system is primarily associated with taste?

The gustatory system is primarily associated with the sense of taste. It involves the perception and interpretation of taste stimuli through specialized sensory receptors located on the taste buds in the mouth. These taste buds respond to five basic taste modalities: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami (savory). The gustatory system works closely with the olfactory system, which contributes to the overall flavor experience by detecting odors, but fundamentally, it is the gustatory system that is solely responsible for the sensations specifically related to taste.

In contrast, the other sensory systems are associated with different senses. The olfactory system deals with the sense of smell, the visual system focuses on sight, and the auditory system is related to hearing. Each of these systems operates independently in terms of their specific sensory modalities, highlighting the distinct role that the gustatory system plays in the perception of taste.