Localization of bacteria on the rat tongue with scanning and transmission electron microscopy.
Scanning microscopy of rat tongue showed that bacterial habitation of the tongue was almost completely localized to the middle third of the anterior surface of the filiform papillae. Transmission microscopy showed coccal forms attached to the surface of the epithelium by means of fibrillar strands and present up to four cell layers deep within the epithelium.
D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D004848:Epithelium / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D051381:Rats; D013499:Surface Properties; D014059:Tongue / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure