Figure 1. Regional application of tastant to the anterior tongue.

In the Regional Test, the examiner gently applies taste solution to the anterior tongue by moving a cotton swab soaked in taste solution in a slow continuous motion along the front of the tongue. For NIH Toolbox norming, direction of application was always from the left side of the tongue across the tip and finishing on the right side of the tongue. It is also acceptable to reverse the direction of application, moving in a slow continuous motion from the right side, across the tip to the left side.