Hair follicles in the canine tongue

At least three normal-appearing and mature hair follicles containing hairs were found to be growing in a coiled manner within the intrinsic musculature of the anterior two thirds of a dog's tongue. An extensive review of the literature has shown that hair follicles are, indeed, found in some unusual places, but previous finding of their presence in the tongue has not been reported. Microscopic examination of serial sections failed to produce any evidence that these follicles were the result of some form of foreign body accident or teratomatous process. They appeared histologically normal in all respects and are assumed to be endogenous to the tongue. The embryologic development of these follicles is briefly commented upon.