Microvascular architecture of the filiform papillae of the lingual dorsum in the lion (Panthera leo)

Abstract

Most studies of the filiform papillae of the lingual dorsum in the Felidae and Mustelidae 7 families, such as that by Hikida et al . have been on the do­ mestic cats (Felis catus), and the sole study on the lingual papillae of the lion (Panthera leo) by Emura et al. only described the surface morphology of the epithelial papillae. Most studies on the lion have only dealt with the arterial supply. Our objective in this study was to observe the microvascular ar­ chitecture of the filiform papillae of the lingual dor­ sum in the lion and identify its morphological char­ acteristics. Microvascular architecture of the filiform papillae of the lingual dorsum in the lion (Panthera leo)