Lingual papillae of wild boar and pig were studied by means of scannin
g electron microscopy (SEM). Vallate papillae appear with the typical
circumvallate morphology. Their papillary bodies show conical or fungi
form-like and spicule-like pseudopapillae in both animals. Taste pores
were seen in the papillary grooves. Microplicae or pits are visible a
t high magnification. In pig and wild boar similar foliate papillae we
re observed. Pig has less but wider leaves than wild boar. Taste pores
on papillary walls were viewed. At high magnification microplicae wer
e seen. Morphologically, fungiform papillae correspond with their deno
mination. Taste pores open onto the upper surface and they are easily
identifiable by SEM. The rostral and lateral regions contain the major
number of fungiform papillae. The lateral papillae of wild boar and p
ig show a high number of pores per papilla. These regions must be cons
idered important in taste sensitivity. Lateral papillae in both animal
s could provide a source of taste buds for study. In both animals the
fungiform papillary epithelium showed a pitted appearance as a consequ
ence of keratinization by food environmental stress. The filiform papi
llae can be both simple and compound (with body and hairs). Large coni
cal papillae are located caudally and curved in the same direction. Fi
liform and conical papillae have a function in food mastication, handl
ing and deglutition.