Morphologic studies on the capillary loops of the human tongue

Abstract

The post mortem which was obtained from the tongue of more than ten human adults was examined. The cast of the capillary loops was made by means of injection of acrylic resin via the lingual artery, and then was observed under a scanning electro-microscope. In the filiform papillae the small arteries parallel to the surface of the tongue and make small networks, from which a small branch is given off enters the papillae to be divided into three capillary loops which rise towards the top of papillae. In the circumvallate papillae the small branches rise from networks which are made in the submucosal membrane. The branches give off numerous capillary loops which rise towards the surface of the papillae. The loops decrease in height near the bottom of the groove. The fungiform papillae receives the capillaries from bottom of papillae of capillary beds, and capillary loops are arranged radially towards the surface, and are observed among them.