Lingual Papillae Research Articles

The effect of ethanol on rat tongue and the possible protective role of royal jelly: Light and scanning electron microscopic study

Background: Ethanol is the most commonly used and abused xenobiotic in the world. Royal jelly (RJ) has been considered as an antioxidant that protects against different agents.Aim of the work: This study aimed to investigate the effect of ethanol on the rat tongue and the possible protective role of royal jelly.Material and methods: Twenty five adult male rats were used in this study and were divided into 4 groups. Group I: 10 rats were divided equally into negative and positive controls. Group II: 5 rats received RJ at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight by gastric tube daily for 30 days. Group III: 5 rats received ethanol at a dose of 10 ml/kg body weight from 30% v/v ethanol solution in distilled water by a gastric tube daily for 30 days. Group IV: 5 rats received both RJ and ethanol as the same previous doses by gastric tube for 30 days. Tongue sections were histologically prepared and examined.Results: The results revealed that group II was nearly as group I. Group III revealed by LM dorsal surface of the tongue was covered by irregularly arranged, short and long lingual papillae. Some papillae were thin, with blunted tips and others were completely absent. The epithelial lining of the ventral surface also showed an apparent reduction in thickness. The keratin layer of the ventral surfaces of the tongue appeared in some regions discontinuous and detached. Some skeletal muscle fibers revealed separations and vacuolations.Scanning electron microscope (SEM) examination revealed a noticeable atrophy of lingual papillae from being short to being absent in focal areas. They were irregularly arranged in different directions. Group IV revealed amelioration of these changes.Conclusion: Ethanol has damaging effects on the lingual papillae and muscles and royal jelly has a protective role for these effects.

Genetic Labeling of Car4-expressing Cells Reveals Subpopulations of Type III Taste Cells.

Carbonic anhydrases form an enzyme family of 16 members, which reversibly catalyze the hydration of carbon dioxide to bicarbonate and protons. In lung, kidney, and brain, presence of carbonic anhydrases is associated with protons and bicarbonate transport in capillary endothelium of lung, reabsorption of bicarbonate in proximal renal tubules, and extracellular buffering. In contrast, their role in taste is less clear. Recently, carbonic anhydrase IV expression was detected in sour-sensing presynaptic taste cells and was associated with the taste of carbonation, yet the precise role and cell population remained uncertain. To examine the role of carbonic anhydrase 4-expressing cells in taste reception, we generated a mouse strain carrying a modified allele of the carbonic anhydrase 4 gene in which the coding region of the red fluorescent protein monomeric Cherry is attached to that of carbonic anhydrase 4 via an internal ribosome entry site. Monomeric Cherry fluorescence was detected in lingual papillae as well as taste buds of soft palate and naso-incisor duct. However, expression patterns on the tongue differ between posterior and fungiform papillae. Whereas monomeric Cherry auto-fluorescence was almost always co-localized with presynaptic cell markers aromatic L-amino-acid decarboxylase, synaptosomal-associated protein 25 or glutamic acid decarboxylase 67 in fungiform papillae and taste buds of palate and naso-incisor duct, monomeric Cherry-positive cells in posterior tongue papillae represent only a subpopulation of presynaptic cells. We conclude that this model is well suited for detailed investigation into the role of carbonic anhydrase in gustation and other processes.

Ultrastructure of Lingual Papillae in Common Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) Foetus, Newborn and Adult Specimens.

Among primates, the two recognized species of chimpanzees (common chimpanzee, Pan troglodytes; pygmy chimpanzee, Pan paniscus) are considered to be the most similar to humans. Importantly, in mammals, the food intake behaviour largely determines the tongue morphology, including the type, proportion and distribution of gustatory and non-gustatory tongue papillae. The lingual papillae form during its development and mature in post-natal life depending on the different feeding. In this study, we have used scanning electron microscopy to analyse the age-related changes in the lingual papillae of foetal, newborn and adult P. troglodytes. Four main types of lingual papillae, denominated filiform, fungiform, foliate and vallate, and one subtype of filiform papillae called conical papillae, were found. The main age-related changes observed in all kinds of papillae were a progressive keratinization and morphological complexity along the lifespan. During the foetal period, there was scarce keratinization, which progressively increases in young animals to adulthood. The number of filiform increased with ageing, and both filiform and fungiform papillae in adult tongues are divided into pseudopapillae. On the other hand, the vallate papillae vary from smooth simple surfaces in foetal tongues to irregular surfaces with grooves and pseudopapillae (microscopic papilla-shaped formations within the papilla itself) in adults. These results describe for the first time the age-related variations in the three-dimensional aspect of lingual papillae of the chimpanzee tongue and provide new data to characterize more precisely these structures in the human closest specie.

Maturation of human lingual papillae during second and third trimesters: a fetal histo-morphological study

Abstract Introduction: The aim of this study was to describe the histological changes of tongue in a growing fetus. There are very few studies on histogenesis of tongue in human fetuses. Therefore the present study was carried out to describe the histogenesis of human fetal tongue at different gestational ages. Material and Methods: The present cross sectional study was conducted on 20 fetuses (both males and females). The tissue sections including both the anterior two thirds and the posterior one third of the tongue were dissected. The slides were stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin (H & E) for microscopic observation. The images were analysed digitally using ImagePro Premier 9.1 Software. Results: At 20th week, the tongue was lined by stratified squamous non keratinized epithelium and the different types of papillae were distinguishable. No taste buds were observed along the vallate papillae. The glandular and muscular components were well differentiated. At 24 weeks of gestation and the surface of the tongue was lined by non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium. At 36 weeks the thickness of the epithelium was significantly reduced and the vascularity of lamina propria was increased. Conclusion: As the prenatal development of the human lingual papillae during the irst trimester is already known through the literature, the present study highlighted the structural maturation of the papillae during second and third trimesters.

A Case Report of Black Hairy Tongue Treated with Traditional Korean Medicine

Black hairy tongue is a benign medical condition, which is characterized by elongated filiform lingual papillae, with a typical carpet-like appearance on the dorsum of the tongue. We describe the case of a 70-year-old Korean female with black hairy tongue, who complained of black hairy tongue accompanied by xerostomia. The patient was treated with Jibaekjihwang-tang- gagambang and electric acupuncture for 13 days. Black hairy tongue was evaluated by its visual appearance and by calculating hue-saturation-brightness (HSB) and red-green-blue (RGB) values of images of the tongue using a photo-edit program. Salivary flow rate (SFR) was evaluated to evaluate oral dryness. After 13 days of treatment, the black fur disappeared, and the brightness and RGB values of the black fur increased. In addition, the SFR increased. We conclude that Korean medicine could be the treatment choice for black hairy tongue. Keywords: case report, black hairy tongue, xerostomia, herbal medicine, electric acupuncture, traditional Korean medicine

A tongue for all seasons: extreme phenotypic flexibility in salamandrid newts

Many organisms faced with seasonally fluctuating abiotic and biotic conditions respond by altering their phenotype to account for the demands of environmental changes. Here we discovered that newts, which switch seasonally between an aquatic and terrestrial lifestyle, grow a complex adhesive system on their tongue pad consisting of slender lingual papillae and mucus-producing cells to increase the efficiency of prey capture as they move from water onto land. The adhesive system is reduced again as newts switch back to their aquatic stage, where they use suction to capture prey. As suction performance is also enhanced seasonally by reshaping of the mouth due to the growth of labial lobes, our results show that newts are exceptional in exhibiting phenotypic flexibility in two alternating components (i.e. tongue pad and labial lobes) within a single functional system, and suggest that this form of phenotypic flexibility demands complex genetic regulation.

Ultrastructural analysis of the tongue of White‐Eared‐Opossum (Didelphis albiventris)

The White‐Eared‐Opossum (Didelphis albiventris) is a marsupial that occupies a large variety of habitats, spreading through several Brazilian biomes and some urban areas, with an important role in seed dissemination. As a mammalian, its tongue evolved to specialized functions and, in the neonate, in addition to milk suckling, it also serves to keep them attached to the female nipple, as a support for protection within the marsupium, reflecting the success of organogenesis. Furthermore, the lingual papillae provides an indicative of the animal habits, mechanical uses, diet and taxonomic relationships.The organs were collected from individuals found dead by the roads in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, southern of Brazil. This material was previously fixed in modified Karnovsky aqueous solution and, once identified the tissue quality, it was submitted to processing for scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM) electron microscopy.Through TEM the epithelial layers that forms the lingual mucosa were easily distinguished and identified, both in adults and fetuses. The stratum corneum at both stages demonstrate the epithelial renewal process through the release of the most superficial cells; the granular layer is more tenuous in fetuses than in adults, where many tonofilaments and several keratohyaline granules were observed; the spinous layer was similar in both ages and marked by the large number of desmossomes between the cells.Two adult tongues were used in the SEM study. One was used for the mucosa analysis, and revealed filiform papillae with different morphologies according to the region. The apex is filled with “major” papillae, like acute columns. The space among them is filled with tuft of “minor” thin and flat filiform papillae. This “minor” filiform papillae covers the entire top of the body surface but is much denser than in the apex, giving a velvet appearance to the organ. The fungiform papillae are scattered in the apex and body, and partially covered by an elevation of mucosa, looking like circumvallate papillae, since it present a moat‐like trough. Circumvallate papillae are 3 in number and form a triangle on the lingual root, with the apex oriented caudally. Foliate papillae are small and thin elevations in the caudolateral border of the tongue, ranging from 12 to 16.The other SEM study used corrosion with Sodium Hydroxide to remove the epithelial layer, reaching the connective tissue that supports the lingual mucosa. It was observed that the filiform papillae subepithelial tissue is similar to what is seen with the conventional technique. The other types of papillae present an irregular surface with some dorsal depressions. The subepithelial tissue of the two circumvallate papillae, located more rostrally, are oval like the epithelium, while the third is rounded.The characteristics observed in the tongue of D. albiventris are similar to those observed in other marsupial species.Support or Funding InformationThis research is supported by the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP. Proc.: 2015/05065‐9).

Comparative Microscopic Study on the Tongue, Oesophagus and Stomach of Two Different Birds in Egypt

Aim of the work: The present investigation aims to compare between the tongue, oesophagus and stomach of two birds in Egypt having different food habits. Materials and methods: The animals under investigation are Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus) and domestic duck (Anas platyrhnchos). These birds were caught from Abou-Rawash Constituency and Nile Delta in Egypt. The birds were dissected the tongue, oesophagus and stomach were fixed and stained for the microscopic comparative study. Results: Histological results of this study found that the tongue of each bird (Whimbrel and domestic duck) is composed of three layers; mucosa, submucosa and muscularis. No lingual papillae are observed. The mucosal layer consists of stratified squamous epithelium. This layer in Numenius phaeopus is thicker than in Anas platyrhnchos. The submucosa is constructed from connective tissue. The muscularis is represented by bundles of muscle fibers extending in different directions. The lingual glands of Anas platyrhnchos are of compound alveolar type and have neutral mucopolysacchride content. The muscularis of the oesophagus consists is consisting of outer circular and inner longitudinal muscle fibers. This layer is thick and well represented in Anas platyrhnchos than in Numenius phaeopus. The mucosal folds have stratified squamous epithelial cells. Oesophageal tubulo alveolar glands have acid mucopolysacchride content in Numenius phaeopus and neutral mucopolysacchride content in Anas platyrhnchos. The stomach in each bird (Whimbrel and domestic duck) is differentiated into glandular and muscular portions. The gastric glands of the glandular portion are differentiated into deep and superficial gastric glands. The muscularis of the muscular portion in the investigated birds is composed of circular and longitudinal muscle fibers. This layer in Anas platyrhnchos is thicker than in Numenius phaeopus. The mucosal layer in Anas platyrhnchos has thick tough keratin-like layer (cutica gastrica). The mucosal glands in the investigated birds have acid and neutral mucopolysacchride content. The histological and histochemical results showed differences in the tongue, oesophagus and stomach between the investigated birds.

Scanning electron microscopic study on three postnatal developments of rat tongue with special reference to their lingual papillae

Scanning electron microscopic study on three postnatal developments of rat tongue with special reference to their lingual papillae

Lingual structural pattern of juvenile Chameleon, Chameleo chameleon

It is belong to the order Squamata, family, Chamaeleonidae. They have characteristic features of tongue protrusion during capturing prey attracts many research works and assay its velocity during protrusion. Yet little studies touched the anatomical and histological feature of the juvenile tongue and especially the middle tongue region involved in the tongue elongation, the present study aimed to focus on the histological structure of the mid-tongue and clarify its role in projection of the tongue as well as the glandular structure, keratinization of lingual epithelium and proliferation capacity of the fore-tongue region in relation with their feeding habits during the juvenile age. Juvenile Chameleo chameleon are collected from Abu Rawash, north of Giza Governorate, Egypt during summer 2015. Three juvenile developmental stages are used in the present study and categorized according to the gross morphological criteria of head, abdomen and limb lengths. The tongue and hyoid apparatus were removed and photographed. Histological, immunohistochemistry of cytokeratin and stem cell factor and scanning electronic microscopic investigations were carried out on the fore-tongue region, meanwhile only histological studies were done for the median tongue region. Morphometric assessments of number and length of lingual papillae and grades of cytokeratin and stem cell expression were done. Histologically, the dorsal lingual mucosa of the fore-tongue possessed different pattern of lingual papillae including finger-like, club, cubical, biforked and multi-branched papillae. The finger-like papillae are more abundant compared to the other types. The lamina propria of anterior median tongue pad are more glandular and exhibited abundant distribution of PAS-positive tubular glands and moderate alcian blue staining affinity of both alveolar and branched alveolar glands. There is no detected keratinization of the lingual epithelium. Stem cell factor appeared denser on the lingual mucosa and cell boundaries of glandular tissues. The mid-tongue region possessed a central cartilaginous core outlined by double layers of connective tissue coat and longitudinal and circular muscle fibers which give the power of protrusion of tongue. It is the first time to record the presence of cartilaginous elements in the mid-tongue region of chameleon. Finally the authors concluded that the juvenile stages of common chameleon exhibited striking cartilaginous inner compartment of the med-tongue and glandular fore-tongue adapted for capturing prey coincides with high proliferated activities and presence of different kinds of non-keratinized lingual papillae.

Tadpole ofProceratophrys mantiqueira(Anura: Odontophrynidae), with a Description of Its Internal Oral Features

We describe the larval external morphology and internal oral features of Proceratophrys mantiqueira from its type locality and provide novel natural history information for adults. The tadpoles of P. mantiqueira (Stage 37) exhibit a depressed body with low tail fins, eyes positioned dorsally, and a ventral oral disc bordered by a single row of marginal papillae, with a wide gap on the anterior labium; a few submarginal papillae may be present. The labial tooth row formula is 2(2)/3(1). The shape and amount of papillae in the buccal floor, especially the infralabial and lingual papillae, can distinguish the tadpole of P. mantiqueira from other congeners. Our results add important new data about the larval morphology of this species and may help future studies on the intrageneric relationships of Proceratophrys.

ニホンザル (Macaca fuscata fuscata) 舌乳頭の微細血管構築について

ニホンザル (Macaca fuscata fuscata) 舌乳頭の微細血管構築について

Anatomy of the tongue and microstructure of the lingual papillae in the fallow deer Dama dama (Linnaeus, 1758)

The function of mouth organs in ruminants is connected with the process of rumination. To study morphofunctional relations, microstructures in tongues of 4- to 5-year old adult fallow deer were examined using scanning electron microscopy.When analyzing the tongue of the fallow deer, i.e. a ruminant classified as an intermediate mixed feeder between grass and roughage eaters, two processes were taken into account: (i) foraging and forage selecting, and (ii) chewing the cud during rumination to reduce particle size and improve digestibility.Microstructural results show that the above mentioned processes in fallow deer are important selection factors, which in the anterior part of tongue led to the development of clusters of fungiform papillae connected with preselection of food as well as a specific pattern of filiform papillae promoting increased adhesion of transported food. Massive and flattened conical papillae on the torus are arranged according to sideways jaw movements and are co-localized with flattened fungiform papillae and two rows of vallate papillae. Such an arrangement of papillae on the lingual torus presumably facilities distribution of ruminated food, with simultaneous transferring of taste signals about masticated food particles.

Three-dimensional structure of the lingual papillae of healthy rats and rats with experimental diabetes mellitus (in the context of mechanism of development of diabetic glossitis)

We studied the three-dimensional structure and patterns of distribution of the lingual papillae of healthy rats (the norm) and their changes in the process of development of diabetes mellitus І type. The research was conducted on 65 laboratory rats of the Weestar line. The research investigated the mucus shell and the microcirculatory network of the tongue. The distribution and three-dimensional structure of the papillae of the tongue were studied using a scanning electron microscope. It was found that there are 5 morphological subspecies of filiform papillae on the dorsal surface of body of the tongue: true filifom, flattened, thin and giant conical and brush-like. Isolated fungiform papillaе are unevenly distributed between filiform papillaе. The dorso-lateral edge of the dorsal lingual surface is covered by foliate papillae. The unique oval papilla vallate is located in the back-end of the middle line of the root of the tongue. The far back of the root of the tongue lacks papillae, is flattened and covered by squamous formations. The distribution and types of lingual papillae is similar in rats to other rodents. In the process of development of diabetic glossitis a reduction in the height of different types of papillae of the tongue was observed, and an increase in the amount of keratinized mass, which plays a role in the fixation of microflora on the surface of the mucus shell, which as a result may lead to development of inflammatory process in the tongues of rats with experimental diabetes mellitus. The stages of morphological and morphometric changes in the mucus shell and microcirculatory network of the tongues of rats with diabetes mellitus were investigated, the characteristic signs of these changes were marked. On the basis of morpho-functional changes of the tongues of rats with experimental streptozotocin induced diabetes mellitus, two stages of development of pathomorphological changes were distinguished: 1) reactive changes (2–4th week) and 2) destructive processes (6–8th week). At the end of the first stage there was a reduction in height of the filiform papillae and width of mushroom-like papillae in the mucus shell of the tongue, an increase in its keratinization, a considerable reduction in the number of cells in the deeper layers of the epithelium of the tongue and the adsorption capacity of superficial epіtheliocites diminished, a significant reduction in the diameter of path clearance of all departments of the microcirculatory network is traced here. At the end of the secondary stage, there was a reduction in the sizes of all papillae of the back of the tongue, in all links of the microcirculatory network there was a development of diabetic microangiopathy which is characterized: by narrowing of the arterial and exchange links on a background expansion of capacity link. The question of influencing the pathological process in the vessels of the microcirculatory network on the state of the mucus shell of the tongue in animals with experimental streptozotocin induced diabetes mellitus is discussed.

The Very First Changes in the Tongue with the Development of Cancer.

We describe the case of an elderly man with a 3-month history of pain at the tip of his tongue due to a lingual cancer. The lesion appeared slightly depressed and reddish. Our images show the very first changes in the tongue with the development of cancer. Patients with tongue pain often visit the internal medicine department first, so highlighting this case will help physicians detect lingual cancer quickly.LEARNING POINTSSurgical treatment of lingual cancer may affect several tongue functions and remarkably decrease quality of life, so early detection is important to both improve prognosis and maintain quality of life after surgery.Lingual cancer first appears as a slightly depressed reddish lesion as lingual papillae disappear.Since patients with tongue pain often visit the internal medicine department first, early detection of lingual cancer depends on physicians.

Tongue and Taste Organ Biology and Function: Homeostasis Maintained by Hedgehog Signaling.

The tongue is an elaborate complex of heterogeneous tissues with taste organs of diverse embryonic origins. The lingual taste organs are papillae, composed of an epithelium that includes specialized taste buds, the basal lamina, and a lamina propria core with matrix molecules, fibroblasts, nerves, and vessels. Because taste organs are dynamic in cell biology and sensory function, homeostasis requires tight regulation in specific compartments or niches. Recently, the Hedgehog (Hh) pathway has emerged as an essential regulator that maintains lingual taste papillae, taste bud and progenitor cell proliferation and differentiation, and neurophysiological function. Activating or suppressing Hh signaling, with genetic models or pharmacological agents used in cancer treatments, disrupts taste papilla and taste bud integrity and can eliminate responses from taste nerves to chemical stimuli but not to touch or temperature. Understanding Hh regulation of taste organ homeostasis contributes knowledge about the basic biology underlying taste disruptions in patients treated with Hh pathway inhibitors.

Advantages and Limitations of Salmon-Gal/Tetrazolium Salt Histochemistry for the Detection of LacZ Reporter Gene Activity in Murine Epithelial Tissue.

The Escherichia coli LacZ gene is a widely used reporter for gene regulation studies in transgenic mice. It encodes bacterial β-galactosidase (Bact β-Gal), which causes insoluble precipitates when exposed to chromogenic homologues of galactose. We and others have recently reported that Bact β-Gal detection with Salmon-Gal (S-Gal) in combination with nitro blue tetrazolium chloride (NBT) is very sensitive and not prone to interference by acidic endogenous β-galactosidases. Unfortunately, as we show here, the method appears to be inadequate for evaluation of Bact β-Gal expression in keratinized epithelial appendages but not in other keratinized epithelia. NBT in the reaction mixture, just as other tetrazolium salts, inevitably causes unwanted staining artifacts in lingual filiform papillae, penile spines, and hair fibers by interacting with keratin sulfhydryl-rich regions. The methodological limitation can be overcome in part by pretreating the tissues before the S-Gal/NBT staining with an iodine-potassium iodide solution. Alternatively, the use of iodonitrotetrazolium chloride instead of NBT in the S-Gal reaction mixture provides enough color resolution to distinguish the specific Bact β-Gal staining in orange from the artifact staining in dark red. In summary, we provide evidence that S-Gal/NBT histochemistry has limitations, when staining keratinized epithelial appendages.

Comparative histological characterization of the tongue in two reptiles; Scincus scincus (Scincidae) and Uromastyx ornata (Agamidae) in relation to diet

The present study is designed to investigate the morphological and histological description of the tongue in two reptilian species; S. scincus and U. ornata with different feeding habits. Moreover, to reveal the histochemical features of the lingual glands and connective tissue fibers. Twenty adult reptiles were used, collected from Abo-Rawash and Sinai desert of Egypt. histochemical methods are used to detect the nature of the lingual gland secretions and their relationship with the feeding habits. Morphologically, in both species the tongue is somewhat triangle with three distinguishable areas; apex, body, and root. The notched tip more obvious in U. ornata. Different shapes of papillae are distributed over the dorsal lingual surfaces and being more abundant in U. ornata. Both serous and mucous secretory acini are noticed in the tongue of U. ornata however, in S. scincus only mucous acini are found. The secretory acini showed a clear affinity toward all stain types according to the acid and neutral mucin. The amount and distribution of collagen fibers is comparatively more in the tongue of U. ornata. Elastic fibers are not detected in the two-examined species. We concluded a marked variation in lingual papillae, lingual gland secretions and also in the distribution of collagen fibers in the two-examined species as a reflection of their diet.

Association between texture sensation in tongue-hard palate and morphometric characteristics of lingual papillae: A pilot study

Association between texture sensation in tongue-hard palate and morphometric characteristics of lingual papillae: A pilot study

Associations between the morphometric characteristics of lingual papillae and the intraoral texture sensation

Associations between the morphometric characteristics of lingual papillae and the intraoral texture sensation