SEM Studies on the Tongue of the Sugar Glider

Abstract

The lingual papillae of the sugar glider were examined by scanning electron microscopy. Filiform, fungiform, foliate, and vallate papillae were observed. The lingual papillae of some types were distributed on the lingual apex and body. The fungiform papillae were present as rounded bodies, and more densely distributed on the lingual apex compared with the body. Undeveloped foliate papillae were observed on the posterolateral regions of the tongue. The sugar glider showed the triangular arrangement of the three vallate papillae, with the apex of the triangle directed posteriorly.