[Sublingual structures in primates. Part 1: Prosimiae, Platyrrhini and Cercopithecinae].

Area of Science:

• Comparative anatomy
• Primate morphology
• Histology

Context:

• Sublingual structures exhibit significant variation across primate species.
• Understanding these structures is crucial for comparative dental and oral biology.
• Previous research has not fully elucidated the detailed morphology and function of primate sublingual anatomy.

Purpose:

• To conduct a light-microscopic study of primate sublingual structures.
• To identify and differentiate between the plica sublingualis, sublingual organ, and sublingua.
• To investigate the presence and distribution of taste buds within these structures and their relationship with salivary glands.

Summary:

• Three sublingual structures are described: plica sublingualis (universal in primates), sublingual organ (exclusive to Callicebus), and sublingua (present only in prosimians).
• The plica sublingualis houses salivary gland ducts, while the sublingua, often cartilaginous, lacks ducts and glands.
• Taste buds are found in the plica sublingualis of some Platyrrhini, enabling direct saliva testing, but are absent in prosimians and Cercopithecinae plica sublingualis and all sublingua.
• The sublingua functions as a dental cleaning device in some prosimians, with varying development in other groups.

Impact:

• Provides a detailed comparative anatomical framework for primate sublingual structures.
• Highlights the functional implications of taste bud distribution in relation to salivary glands.
• Offers insights into the evolutionary adaptations of oral structures in primates.