SCANNING ELECTRON-MICROSCOPY STUDY OF THE INTERFACE EPITHELIUM-CONNECTIVE TISSUE SURFACE OF THE LINGUAL MUCOSA IN CALOMYS CALLOSUS

The characteristics of the interface epithelium-connective tissue of t he lingual mucosa of Calomys callosus was studied by employing scannin g electron microscopy after removal of the epithelial cells. In the an terior part, the connective tissue papillae of filiform papillae are d istributed at random in their original configuration, and the round-sh aped fungiform papillae are scattered among the filiform papillae. In the middle part, the filiform papillae present several rod-shaped proj ections. In the posterior part, the vallate papilla are oval in shape, and the connective tissue reveals a large ridge separated by deep lat eral grooves. The posterior adjacent area is a flat surface and shows several openings of salivary gland ducts. The foliate papillae are for med by several small ridges separated by grooves. In the areas adjacen t to the foliate papilla, small pointed and laminar papillae were obse rved.