Microvascular fin-like structure of the foliate papillae of the rabbit tongue using scanning electron microscopic specimens

Summary Although many morphological studies have been undertaken on the lingual papillae of the rabbit tongue, relatively few have dealt with the microvascular structure and classification of the foliate papillae (FoP) by means of microvascular cast specimens (MVCS) and using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). For the present study, a three dimensional observation and classification was carried out by SEM. The morphological characteristics of the outer frame structure were observed by means of MVCS of FoP which were located on both posteroperipheral parts of the tongue. They showed a bead-like appearance and consisted of 14–18 transverse and slightly bent fin-like structures, running from the dorsal surface to both peripheral sides symmetrically. These are effectively increased on the surface areas and play the functional role of receiving the taste sense. FoPs can be classified into three types: type I (14 fins), type II (16 fins), type III (18 fins) according to the fin numbers.