Abstract
The dorsal lingual surfaces of the newborn and adult lion were examined by gross anatomical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Filiform, fungiform and vallate papillae were observed. The filiform papillae were distributed over the entire dorsal surface of the tongue. The fungiform papillae were present in rounded bodies, and densely distributed on the lingual apex. There were 5 vallate papillae in newborn and 8 vallate papillae in adult on borderline between the lingual body and lingual radix. No foliate papillae were seen on the dorsal surface in both stages. The rudiments of fungiform papillae and vallate papillae showed earlier development than those of the filiform papillae.
