Journal Article
Morphological and ultrastructural analysis of the lingual epithelium of domestic cats (Felis catus, Linnaeus, 1758) during prenatal development
Adão Caetano Sobrinho; Silvio Pires Gomes; Vinicius Pedro Silva de Oliveira; Victor Hugo Silva de Oliveira; Gabriela Salim Ferreira de Castro; Silvio Roberto Carneiro Braga Neto; Alan Peres Ferraz de Melo; José Roberto Kfoury Júnior; Rose Eli Grassi Rici
Zoomorphology · Vol. 145, Issue 2 · 2026
Abstract
The tongue is a highly specialized organ whose structural organization reflects functional adaptations related to feeding, grooming, and sensory perception. Although the morphology of the adult domestic cat tongue is well documented, information concerning its prenatal development remains scarce. This study aimed to characterize the macroscopic, microscopic, and ultrastructural development of the lingual epithelium in domestic cat fetuses ( Felis catus , Linnaeus, 1758) at different gestational stages. Materials and Methods: Fifteen male fetuses were allocated into three gestational groups: early (31–39 days), intermediate (40–50 days), and late (≥ 51 days). Gestational age was determined by crown–rump length measurement. Tongue samples were analyzed using light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy to assess epithelial differentiation, papillae formation, and extracellular matrix organization throughout development. In the early stage, the epithelium exhibited initial organization, with a basal layer, a poorly stratified superficial layer, and early papillary primordia, accompanied by sparse and disorganized collagen fibers. The intermediate stage demonstrated marked epithelial stratification, with defined basal, spinous, and granular layers and focal stratum corneum formation, associated with increased collagen density and structural organization. In the late stage, the tongue exhibited a keratinized stratified squamous epithelium, fully differentiated filiform, fungiform, foliate, and circumvallate papillae, and a dense, organized collagen network. Ultrastructurally, well-developed desmosomal junctions indicated strong epithelial cohesion. The domestic cat tongue develops progressively and coordinately during gestation, reaching structural maturity prenatally, thereby ensuring immediate functional competence at birth.