Morphological study of lingual papillae in the fetal cat at mid-gestation, as revealed by light and scanning electron microscopy.

Abstract

Tongues were removed from five cat fetuses, after approximately 1 month of gestation, for examination by light and scanning electron microscopy. Rudiments of filiform papillae were visible over the entire dorsal surface of the tongue. The epithelium of the dorsal surface of the tongue was of the stratified cuboidal type. No evidence of keratinization was detected anywhere in the entire dorsal lingual epithelium. Rudiments of fungiform papillae were recognizable only at the lingual apex; none were recognizable on other parts of the dorsal surface of the tongue at this stage. By contrast, rudiments of circumvallate and foliate papillae were already distinguishable from the filiform papillae. Differences between these results and those obtained previously in rats and mice are discussed.