Tongue Papillae Anomaly in Anencephalic Fetuses

Abstract

Eighteen cases of anencephalic fetuses were examined t o explore the abnormal growth of the tongue papillae. All 18 cases consistently showed severe hypoplasia of the tongue papillae and taste buds. The filiform papillae showed the most severe hypoplasia. Both epithelial ingrowth and crypt formation of the tongue papillae were retarded from as early as gestational age 19-20 weeks, thus the filiform papillae became greatly arrested showing smooth surfaced and thick keratinized epithelium. The fungiform papillae decreased in number and were of abnormal size. The direction of the papillae was occasionally reversed. The taste bud of the fungiform papillae was markedly hypoplastic and was often missing. Meanwhile the vallate papillae were relatively well developed although frequently abnormal in shape. The distribution of the taste bud was irregular, and several taste buds were observed on the top of the vallate papillae. The taste buds were generally hypoplastic, and some of them showed degenerative or cystic change. In conclusion the tongue papillae, indicative of a highly proliferative epithelium, seem to be definitely affected by the generalized growth retardation in anencephalics.