Azhaar Raheem AL-Fartwsy; Ashwaq Ahmed Hussein & Entekhab Hameed Abed Al-Shuwaili

The tongue of the laboratory mouse (Mus musculus) serves as a valuable model for oral microscopic studies due to its structural similarities with those of other mammals. Understanding its surface morphology, particularly the lingual papillae, provides insights into both mechanical and sensory functions. This study aimed to describe the surface morphology of the mouse tongue using scanning electron microscopy, with emphasis on the types and distribution of lingual papillae. Tongues from healthy male and female mice were examined under scanning electron microscopy to document gross surface features and characterize papillary structures. The tongue appeared slender with a rounded anterior lingual apex, a relatively broad lingual body, and a caudal lingual root. A deep median sulcus extended from the apex to the body, dividing the tongue into two halves, while a lingual prominence was observed on the posterior third of the dorsal surface. The dorsal surface exhibited a rough texture due to the presence of two types of papillae: mechanical and gustatory. Filiform papillae (mechanical) exhibited three forms: cylindrical at the anterior apex, large conical at the lingual prominence and small conical at the posterior region. Fungiform papillae (gustatory) were bud-shaped, distributed between the apex and root, with a single vallate papilla surrounded by an incomplete groove. This study provides a detailed description of mouse tongue morphology, highlighting the structural diversity of papillae according to location and function. The findings support the use of mice as a valuable model in oral microscopic and anatomical research.

KEY WORDS: Tongue; Mus musculus; Scanning electron study; Lingual papillae.

AL-FARTWSY, A.R.; HUSSEIN, A.A. & ABED AL_SHUWAILI, E. H. Scanning electron microscopy study of the tongue in the laboratory mice Mus musculus. Int. J. Morphol., 44(2):555-561, 2026.