Xiaoyan Peng, Wenling Ye, Guoqiang Yuan, Huifang Zhang and Jianlin Wang
MOE Key Laboratory of Arid and Grassland Ecology, Institute of Zoology and School of Life Sciences,
Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, P.R. China
ABSTRACT
The lingual papillae of adult bactrian camel were studied using light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Five types of lingual papillae were found on the dorsal surface of the tongue. Two types of filiform papillae could be distinguished. The filiform papillae had a primary papilla and a few slender secondary papillae. Fungiform papillae were round in shape, and more densely distributed on the tip of the lingual apex. Only a few taste pores were recognisable on the free surface of the papillae. Conical papillae have a round base and a blunt tip without any projection. Lenticular papillae were positioned in a round or flat protrusion with the appearance of a papillae groove. Vallate papillae were encircled by a papillary groove and an annular pad of the surrounding lingual mucosa. Many taste buds were found in the papillary groove of the papillae. The taste buds, composed of several layers structure of appearing to be sponge shaped, looked like tree peony in shape. The irregular surface of all types of papillae revealed microplicae in the form of microridges and micropits.
Key words: Bactrian camel, lingual papillae, microridge, Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), tongue
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