Investigations were conducted on 11 tongues of raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) of both sexes. Tissues collected from the ventral surface of the apex and the lateral surfaces of the body of the tongue were examined under a light microscope (LM) and a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Additionally morphometric analysis of the thickness of the epithelium was performed. As a result of the performed observations it was found that the epithelium covering the ventral surface of the apex and the lateral surfaces of the body of the tongue in the raccoon dog is nonkeratinized stratified squamous epithelium. The epithelium formed numerous streaks of various length, which grew into the connective tissue. Lamina propria of the mucosa in the examined areas formed numerous connective tissue papillae, which were distributed among the epithelial streaks. SEM observations of the connective tissue core showed that connective tissue papillae surrounded depressions formed as a result of epithelial streaks growing into the connective tissue. The epithelium covering the ventral surface of the apex of the tongue was thicker than on the lateral surfaces of the body of the tongue. No statistical differences were found for the analyzed traits. Key words: raccon dog, tongue, mucous membrane

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