This study was carried out to examine light and scanning electron microscopic (SEM) changes in the fungiform papillae of mice during postnatal period. In this study, the tissue samples collected from the tongues of mice that were 0, 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180 days old during postnatal period were used to be material. Collected tissue samples were examined by light and scanning electron microscopy.

Fungiform papillae were present in newborn mice but mature taste buds were seen in postnatal 2 days old animals. It was seen that the fastest increase in 0-15 days period and papillae completed their developments in 120 days old animals with the average length of 117.08 µm and width of 83.21 µm. The average length and width of the taste buds that were completely developed in 90 days old mice were 38.33 µm and 30.81 µm, respectively.

In the scanning electron microscope, one taste pore was seen in the middle of the top of the papillae as of 15^th day of the age. By the examination of higher magnification micropits and microridges were seen on the epithelial surfaces of the tissues samples of all age group animals.

As a result, it was found that fungiform papillae, which seen the first mature taste buds in postnatal 2 days old animals and were developed fast at the beginning (0-15 days) of the postnatal period.