Scanning electron microscopy of the rat tongue mucosa with special attention to bacteria on epithelial cell membranes / Microscopia eletrônica de varredura da mucosa da língua de ratos com enfoque em bactérias em menbranas de células epiteliais

ABSTRACT

The authors examined the filiform and fungiform papillae surfaces of rat tongue by scanning electron microscopy showing the numerous groupings of bacteria on the epithelial cell membranes. The fungiform papillae were round in shape and presented few bacteria. The epithelial cell of filiform papillae revealed numerous streptococci. The grouping of the bacteria are attached on the epithelial cell membrane, demonstrating three-dimensional SEM images