Macroscopic and Light Microscopic Structure of Lingual Papillae on the Tongue of a Young Lion (Panthera Leo)

The lingual papillae on dorsal lingual surface of a young lion (Panthera leo) of two months of age were examined by macroscopic and light microscopic observations. The dimensions of the tongue of the young lion were about 9 cm in length and 3.5 cm in width. Three types of papillae, filiform, fiingiform and vallate were observed. The filiform papillae were distributed over the entire dorsal surface of the tongue. The fungiform papillae were distributed among filiform papillae, and were smaller and more abundant in the apex of the tongue compared to on the lateral right and left sides. A few taste buds were found in the epithelium of the dorsal parts of the fungiform papillae. The vallate papillae were located on both sides on the posterior end of the lingual body. There were five vallate papillae in total. Taste buds of the vallate papillae were observed in the inner trench walls of the papillae. Von Ebner glands orifices opened at the bottom of the furrow of the vallate papillae.