Morphology of the lingual papillae of Egyptian buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

The mammalian tongue has different functions for feeding. We investigated the morphological characteristics of the surface of the tongue of Egyptian buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) using scanning electron microscopy. The lingual surface exhibited different degrees of specialization. The tongue can be divided into the apex, body, and root. The lingual prominence was observed on the posterior area of the lingual body. The lenticular, conical, and vallate papillae were observed on the caudal part of the tongue. The filiform papillae were lingual papillae covering the entire dorsal and ventral surface of the tongue at the lingual apex; they consisted of a main process that functions to transport food materials towards the pharynx. The fungiform papillae were dispersed between the filiform papillae. Large lenticular papillae were found at the lingual prominence. The highly keratinized lenticular papillae aid the physical mastication of plant materials. Twelve vallate papillae were arranged in V shape on the lingual root. These anatomical characteristics of the lingual surface of Egyptian buffalo may enhance understanding of its feeding behavior adaptations.