title: Scanning electron microscopy of the tongue, pharynx, and larynx of rats exposed to cigarette smoke.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine, by using scanning electron microscopy, the surface of the tongue, pharynx, and larynx of animals exposed to tobacco.
  
  
  METHODS
  Experimental study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty rats were allocated to two groups: group I, control group: 10 rats not exposed to any inhaling pollutant and group II, tobacco group: 10 rats exposed to smoke from 10 cigarettes twice a day for 260 days. Animals of both groups had no restriction of food or water. After those 260 days, their aerodigestive segment was removed, and fragments of their tongue, hypopharynx, and right vocal fold were immersed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde and prepared for scanning electron microscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The filiform tongue papillae of the tobacco group were irregularly displayed, flattened, and adhered to each other. The hypopharynx mucosa was highly irregular, thickened, rough and had increased superficial peeling. The mucosa of the vocal folds had deep furrows surrounding the cells. These alterations were not identified for the control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Several changes were recorded for the tongue, pharynx, and larynx of tobacco group animals, confirming the harmful effects of smoking to the respiratory and digestive epithelium.
authors: Departamento de Oftalmologia, Otorrinolaringologia e Cirurgia de Cabeça e Pescoço, Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil UNESP. Electronic address: rmartins@fmb.unesp.br.
authors: Regina Helena Garcia
authors: RH
authors: Martins
authors: Departamento de Oftalmologia, Otorrinolaringologia e Cirurgia de Cabeça e Pescoço, Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil UNESP.
authors: Tatiana Maria
authors: TM
authors: Goncalves
authors: Departamento de Oftalmologia, Otorrinolaringologia e Cirurgia de Cabeça e Pescoço, Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil UNESP.
authors: Sergio Luis
authors: SL
authors: Madeira
authors: Departamento de Oftalmologia, Otorrinolaringologia e Cirurgia de Cabeça e Pescoço, Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil UNESP.
authors: Norimar Hernandes
authors: NH
authors: Dias
authors: Departamento de Oftalmologia, Otorrinolaringologia e Cirurgia de Cabeça e Pescoço, Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil UNESP.
authors: Graziela
authors: G
authors: de Oliveira Semenzati
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D007830:Larynx / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010614:Pharynx / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D020545:Respiratory Mucosa / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012906:Smoke / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000473:pathology; D013997:Time Factors; D014059:Tongue / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure*
chemical_list: D012906:Smoke
keywords: Larynx; Pharynx; Rats; Scanning electron microscopy; Smoking; Tobacco; Tongue