Morphology of the lingual papillae of the lion-tailed macaque

Abstract

We microscopically examined the dorsal lingual surface of an adult lion-tailed macaque (Macaca silenus). The tongue of the chimpanzee was about 13 cm long. Filiform papillae on the lingual apex consisted of several pointed processes. There were dome-shaped fungiform papillae scattered among the filiform papillae. The connective tissue cores of those filiform papillae consisted of processes of various size, while these of the fungiform papillae had several ditches. The vallate papilla was surrounded by a groove and pad, and were flattened-oval shaped. The connective tissue cores of the vallate papillae were covered with numerous small spines. Many foliate papillae were observed on the posterolateral regions of the tongue. After removing epithelium from the foliate papillae many processes became apparent.