SEM study on the dorsal lingual surface of Microtus montebelli.

The dorsal lingual surface of Microtus montebelli was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The filiform papillae were distributed over the entire dorsal surface of the tongue. The filiform papillae notably differed in morphology by their location on the tongue and could be classified into 4 types: 1) simple conical papillae, 2) true filiform papillae, 3) giant conical papillae, and 4) saw-like papillae. The fugiform papillae were present rounded bodies scattered over the anterior dorsal surface of the tongue. A vallate papilla was located at the middle end of the lingual body. The surface of the radix zone was smooth and without lingual papillae.