ORIGINAL ARTICLE Macroscopic and microscopic study of tongue in Wistar rats

The aim of the present study was to investigate the structure of the tongue in rat since tongue is an important organ in taking food. For this purpose, the tongue of 8 adult male and 8female rats (wistar) was dissected from the root. Their weight, length and wide were measured. Then, they were fixed in formalin (10%) and prepared by tissue processing (fixation, dehydrated, clearing and impregnation). The serial sections (5 μ) were obtained and subjected to Haematoxylin and Eosin stains. The morphology and morphometric study of the tongue were studied by light microscope and progress capture soft ware. The results showed that the epithelium of muscular tongue in male and females were keratinized stratified squamous. It's length and width in both sexes were similar approximately with 2.67± 0.02cm and width of its apex, body and root were 0.58. 0.66 and 1.2 cm respectively. Deep median sulcus was seen on midline of tongue and four types of lingual papillae with different distribution and density were observed on its dorsal surface. Filiform papillae with the highest density and distribution were whole of tongue, a few fungiform. p with taste buds were on midlateral and two circumvallate with many taste buds were on posterior of tongue mucous and serous glands were in ventral surface of tongue. The results showed that the morphology and structure of tongue in both sexes are similar and related to diet pattern.