Fine Structure of the Dorsal Tongue Surface in the Japanese Toad, Bufo japonicus (Anura, Bufonidae) : Cell Biology

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The ultrastructure of the epithelial cells and sensory organs of the dorsal surface of the tongue of Bufo japonicus were investigated by scanning electron microscopy. The specimens were prepared using a method designed to remove the extracellular material which normally adheres to the tongue's surface. Irregular undulant structures, or ridge-like papillae, which correspond to the filiform papillae of Rana, were compactly distributed over almost all of the dorsal surface of the tongue, while fungiform papillae were scattered amongst these ridge-like papillae. A round sensory disc was located on the top of each fungiform papilla. Latticework, which represented the outline of the boundary of each cell, was visible on the surface of each sensory disc. At higher magnification, we observed that the surface of almost every sensory disc was covered with a honeycomb structure, while a small number of cells with microvilli on their surfaces were scattered amongst them. Each sensory disc was encircled by a thin band of non-ciliated cells. Microridges were widely distributed on the epithelial cell surface of the ridge-like papillae. The observed micro-ornamentation of the lingual structure with its microridges and honeycomb structures may be related to the retention of mucus on the surface of the anuran tongue.
社団法人日本動物学会の論文
1988-04-15