What is the term for the inability to taste specific flavors?

The term for the inability to taste specific flavors is hypogeusia. This condition refers to a partial loss of taste or a reduced ability to taste certain flavors, such as sweet, sour, salty, bitter, or umami. It signifies that while some taste ability remains, the sensitivity to specific taste modalities is diminished. This can be caused by various factors, including medication side effects, certain medical conditions, or damage to the taste buds or the nerves associated with taste.

In contrast, ageusia refers to the complete loss of the ability to taste, dysgeusia denotes a distorted sense of taste, where the flavors may seem unpleasant or altered, and analgesia is not related to taste; rather, it pertains to the loss of sensitivity to pain. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for recognizing different types of taste disorders and their effects on a person's dietary preferences and nutritional intake.