Morphohistological postnatal developmental study of gustatory papillae in sheep tongue by light and electron microscopy

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Pathological Analysis, Sumer University, College of Science, Babylon 51013, Iraq.

2 Department of Anatomy and Histology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Al-Qasim Green University, Babylon, 51013, Iraq.

3 Department of Animal Production Technologies, AL-Mussaib Technical College, Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University, Babylon 51013, Iraq.

4 Department of Medical Physics, Hilla University College, Babylon, Iraq.

Abstract

Objective
Gustatory lingual papillae play a crucial role in taste perception and oral function in mammals. Their postnatal development is associated with structural and functional maturation of the tongue. However, detailed information regarding the morphological, histological, and ultrastructural development of fungiform and circumvallate papillae in Iraqi local sheep at different postnatal stages remains limited. This study aimed to investigate the postnatal morphological, histological, and scanning electron microscopic (SEM) developmental changes of fungiform and circumvallate gustatory papillae in the tongue of Iraqi local sheep (Ovis aries).
Materials and methods
Twenty tongue samples were collected from Iraqi local sheep obtained from Najaf and Babylon province abattoirs. The samples were divided into two groups according to dentition and age: Group I included lambs aged two months, and Group II included adult sheep aged eight months. Gross morphological examination, routine histological techniques, and scanning electron microscopy were employed to evaluate the developmental features of fungiform and circumvallate papillae and associated lingual glands.
Results
In two-month-old lambs, fungiform papillae appeared immature, flat-shaped, and sparsely distributed among the filiform papillae on the dorsal surface of the tongue, while circumvallate papillae were small to moderate in size and arranged in a double irregular row. At eight months of age, fungiform papillae exhibited marked maturation, appearing as large, flat-topped, mushroom-shaped projections. Circumvallate papillae became relatively larger, well-defined, flattened structures surrounded by prominent circular grooves and were located dorsolaterally on the torus linguae just rostral to the root of the tongue. Histologically, well-developed gustatory papillae were observed at both ages, with fungiform papillae scattered between filiform papillae on the apex and body of the tongue, whereas circumvallate papillae showed variable shapes and sizes according to developmental stage. Two types of lingual glands were identified: von Ebner’s serous glands closely associated with circumvallate papillae, and Weber’s mucous or mixed glands located deep within the muscular tissue at the root of the tongue.
Conclusion
The gustatory papillae of Iraqi local sheep undergo marked morphological, histological, and ultrastructural maturation during postnatal development. Age-related changes significantly influence the size, shape, organization, and glandular associations of fungiform and circumvallate papillae, reflecting their functional adaptation with growth.

Keywords

References

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Agricultural Biotechnology Journal
Volume 18, Issue 3
June 2026
Pages 333-354

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