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Igbokwe CO, Mbajiorgu FE, Bello UM. Anatomical and Surface Electron Microscopic Investigation of the Tongue and Laryngeal Prominence in the Red-Eyed Turtle Dove (Streptopelia semitorquata, Rüppel 1837). MICROSCOPY AND MICROANALYSIS : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF MICROSCOPY SOCIETY OF AMERICA, MICROBEAM ANALYSIS SOCIETY, MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 2024; 30:619-631. [PMID: 38905160 DOI: 10.1093/mam/ozae045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Abstract
This study investigated the morphology of tongue and laryngeal structures in red-eyed dove and related it to feeding habits. Samples were examined using gross anatomy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and histological techniques. The tongue conformed to the shape of the lower beak, and the apex with a pointed tip, body, and root were distinguished. A median grove was apparent, and a papillary crest with pointed triangular papillae separated the body from the root. The length of the tongue, its width (body), and the percentage of the length of the lower jaw occupied by the tongue were, on average, 12.5 mm, 2.3 mm, and 57.3%, respectively. SEM showed highly desquamated dorsal epithelium with pointed papillae-like projections. The papillary crest presented pointed papillae of about 20-22. Salivary openings were apparent in the root, surrounded by mucosal folds and blunt papillae. Laryngeal prominence was irregularly triangular shaped and elevated. The rim of the glottis showed glandular pinpointed marks. Typical cornified multilayered mucosal epithelium was present in the apex and decreased caudally. Hyaline entoglossal cartilage and adjoining connective tissue were present in the body and apex. Numerous tubuloalveolar glands were seen in the body and root. The rim of the glottis showed mucous intraepithelial glands. The rostral and caudal lingual glands indicated positive reaction to neutral and acidic mucins. This study demonstrated a morphofunctional relationship of the tongue of a red-eyed dove to its diet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Casmir Onwuaso Igbokwe
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
- School of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Bunda Campus, Malawi
| | - Felix Ejikeme Mbajiorgu
- School of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Umar Muhammed Bello
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Histology, Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
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El-Mansi AA, El-Bealy EA, Al-Kahtani MA, Al-Zailaie KA, Rady AM, Abumandour MA, El-Badry DA. Biological Aspects of the Tongue and Oropharyngeal Cavity of the Eurasian Collared Dove ( Streptopelia decaocto, Columbiformes, Columbidae): Anatomical, Histochemical, and Ultrastructure Study. MICROSCOPY AND MICROANALYSIS : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF MICROSCOPY SOCIETY OF AMERICA, MICROBEAM ANALYSIS SOCIETY, MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 2021; 27:1-17. [PMID: 34236954 DOI: 10.1017/s1431927621012101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
We characterized the morphological and anatomical adaptations of the lingual microstructures of the Eurasian collared dove and discussed their implications for its dietary niche. We analyzed tongues of nine S. decaocto using histological, histochemical, stereomicroscopic, and scanning electron microscopic techniques. Our findings showed that the tongue is relatively short with a tapered apex that carries a terminal lingual nail. However, the lingual body has median scales and is bordered laterally by filiform papillae. Further, the tongue body bears a distinctive papillary crest. The tongue root is nonpapillate and infiltered with orifices of the posterior salivary glands. The bulky laryngeal mound has a circular glottic fissure, carrying a single row of papillae at the rear edge. Concurrently, our histological and histochemical findings demonstrate that the tongue has taste buds, anterior and posterior salivary glands, along with an elongated entoglossum that extends from lingual apex to root. Besides, ovoid and globular mucous glands displayed intense alcianophilic reactions. More substantially, the palate is made up of three palatine ridges with a caudal choanal cleft that was bounded by two rows of palatine papillae. Our data indicate multiple and novel structural variations for the lingual and palatal sculptures coopted for their feeding style.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed A El-Mansi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, King Khalid University, P.O. Box 641, Abha61421, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Eman A El-Bealy
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, King Khalid University, P.O. Box 641, Abha61421, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohamed A Al-Kahtani
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, King Khalid University, P.O. Box 641, Abha61421, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khalid A Al-Zailaie
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, King Khalid University, P.O. Box 641, Abha61421, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed M Rady
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohamed A Abumandour
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Alexandria University, Behera, Egypt
| | - Dina A El-Badry
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
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Ultrastructural study on the embryonic development of the orthokeratinized epithelium and its cornified layer (lingual nail) on the ventral surface of the lingual apex in the domestic duck (Anas platyrhynchos f. domestica). ZOOLOGY 2018; 126:36-45. [DOI: 10.1016/j.zool.2017.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2017] [Revised: 12/27/2017] [Accepted: 12/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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Morphological features of glands in the gastrointestinal tract of the African pied crow (Corvus albus). ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s00580-017-2425-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Abumandour MMA, El-Bakary NER. Morphological features of the tongue and laryngeal entrance in two predatory birds with similar feeding preferences: common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) and Hume's tawny owl (Strix butleri). Anat Sci Int 2016; 92:352-363. [PMID: 27084364 DOI: 10.1007/s12565-016-0339-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2015] [Accepted: 03/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this investigation was to describe the morphological characters of the tongue of two predatory birds with similar feeding preferences, i.e. the common kestrel and Hume's tawny owl. Descriptive information on the lingual morphology of these two birds, particularly Hume's tawny owl, is incomplete. We found that the lingual apex of the owl has an oval, concave, shovel-like form with a bifid lingual tip, while that of the kestrel has the shape of a horny tip-like spoon with a central process in addition to there being several filiform-like papillae on the dorsal surface of the apex and body. In the owl, the dorsal surface of the apex and body is subdivided into four U-shaped regions: lingual tip, two lateral regions and a median region. The two lateral regions are characterized by the presence of papillae and several openings of lingual glands, while the median region carries filiform-like papillae. In both birds, the papillary crest is located between the body and root. In the kestrel, there is an additional row of papillae rostral to crest, while in the owl there is a rostral lateral extension of papillae on the lateral lingual surface so the distribution pattern has a W-shape. In the kestrel, the posterior part of lingual body has several openings of glands, while the root lacks glands completely, although it has many taste buds. In the owl, the lingual root is folded and has a large number of gland openings. In the kestrel caudally to the glottis, there are two paramedian transverse rows of pharyngeal papillae with a pair of median huge papillae, while in the owl, there is only one transverse row of papillae. The dorsal and ventral lingual surfaces of both birds are lined with non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed M A Abumandour
- Anatomy and Embryology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Alexandria University, Rashid, Edfina, Behera, 22785, Egypt.
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Corrêa JLG, Justus A, de Oliveira LF, Alves GE. Osmotic Dehydration of Tomato Assisted by Ultrasound: Evaluation of the Liquid Media on Mass Transfer and Product Quality. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD ENGINEERING 2015. [DOI: 10.1515/ijfe-2015-0083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
The treatment of a food in liquid media involves mass transfer and could aid to preserve some food properties. The assistance of ultrasound (US) could even improve the process. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate US (frequency 25 kHz, powder intensity 8 kW m–3) in tomato treatment in sucrose and NaCl solutions, common osmotic agents. Moreover, for testing the influence of the media, distilled water and maltodextrin solution completed the set of tested liquids. Water loss (WL), solid gain (SG), water activity (aw), color parameters, like the total color difference (ΔE) and microstructure were evaluated. The advantages of NaCl and sucrose solutions were the high WL and SG values besides low aw and ΔE. The alterations in the microstructure of US-treated samples in distilled water or maltodextrin suggested that a product with low solid incorporation and reduced drying time could be obtained in a further drying.
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Skieresz-Szewczyk K, Jackowiak H, Ratajczak M. LM and TEM study of the orthokeratinized and parakeratinized epithelium of the tongue in the domestic duck ( Anas platyrhynchos f. domestica ). Micron 2014; 67:117-124. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micron.2014.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2014] [Revised: 07/19/2014] [Accepted: 07/20/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Jackowiak H, Skieresz-Szewczyk K, Kwieciński Z, Godynicki S, Jackowiak K, Leszczyszyn A. Light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy studies on the reduction of the tongue microstructures in the white stork ( Ciconia ciconia, Aves). ACTA ZOOL-STOCKHOLM 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/azo.12087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Jackowiak
- Department of Histology and Embryology; Poznań University of Life Sciences; Wojska Polskiego 71 C 60-625 Poznań Poland
| | - Kinga Skieresz-Szewczyk
- Department of Histology and Embryology; Poznań University of Life Sciences; Wojska Polskiego 71 C 60-625 Poznań Poland
| | | | - Szymon Godynicki
- Department of Histology and Embryology; Poznań University of Life Sciences; Wojska Polskiego 71 C 60-625 Poznań Poland
| | - Katarzyna Jackowiak
- Department of Histology and Embryology; Poznań University of Life Sciences; Wojska Polskiego 71 C 60-625 Poznań Poland
| | - Andrzej Leszczyszyn
- Department of Histology and Embryology; Poznań University of Life Sciences; Wojska Polskiego 71 C 60-625 Poznań Poland
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Soley JT, Tivane C, Crole MR. Gross morphology and topographical relationships of the hyobranchial apparatus and laryngeal cartilages in the ostrich (Struthio camelus). ACTA ZOOL-STOCKHOLM 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/azo.12088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- John T. Soley
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology; Faculty of Veterinary Science; University of Pretoria; Private Bag X04 Onderstepoort 0110 South Africa
| | - Catarina Tivane
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology; Faculty of Veterinary Science; University of Pretoria; Private Bag X04 Onderstepoort 0110 South Africa
- Preclinical Department; Veterinary Faculty; Eduardo Mondlane University; PO Box 257, Maputo Mozambique
| | - Martina R. Crole
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology; Faculty of Veterinary Science; University of Pretoria; Private Bag X04 Onderstepoort 0110 South Africa
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Erdoğan S, Pérez W. Anatomical and scanning electron microscopic characteristics of the oropharyngeal cavity (tongue, palate and laryngeal entrance) in the southern lapwing (Charadriidae: Vanellus chilensis,Molina 1782). ACTA ZOOL-STOCKHOLM 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/azo.12075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Serkan Erdoğan
- Department of Anatomy; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; Dicle University; 21280 Diyarbakir Turkey
| | - William Pérez
- Área de Anatomía; Facultad de Veterinaria; Universidad de la República; Lasplaces 1620 11600 Montevideo Uruguay
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Erdoğan S, Iwasaki SI. Function-related morphological characteristics and specialized structures of the avian tongue. Ann Anat 2013; 196:75-87. [PMID: 24219998 DOI: 10.1016/j.aanat.2013.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2013] [Revised: 08/22/2013] [Accepted: 09/27/2013] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
As a reflection of different life styles and environment, the tongue of vertebrates, which plays a major role in the intake and swallowing of food, displays significant morphological differences. The gross form and microscopic structure of the avian tongue differ greatly according to lifestyle. The avian tongue plays a fundamental role in many functions such as capturing, filtering, sucking and manipulating food in order to compensate absence of subsidiary organs like teeth in the oropharyngeal cavity. Variations in lingual papillae play an important role in feeding of birds, as they represent a structure similar to teeth in the upper and lower beaks and can be used to hold and direct food in the oropharyngeal cavity. Tongues of birds exhibit common as well as varying anatomical characteristics in terms of surface morphology, structure and topographical distribution of lingual papillae as well as distinct specialized structures, epithelial layers, taste buds and lingual glands. This review evaluates the important morphological peculiarities of the tongue in birds, focusing on the relationship between anatomical features and feeding functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serkan Erdoğan
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Dicle University, Diyarbakir 21280, Turkey.
| | - Shin-ichi Iwasaki
- Department of Physiology, The Nippon Dental University, School of Dentistry at Niigata, 1-8 Hamaura-cho, Niigata 951-8580, Japan
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Onuk B, Tütüncü S, Kabak M, Alan A. Macroanatomic, light microscopic, and scanning electron microscopic studies of the tongue in the seagull ( Larus fuscus) and common buzzard ( Buteo buteo). ACTA ZOOL-STOCKHOLM 2013. [DOI: 10.1111/azo.12051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Burcu Onuk
- Department of Anatomy; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; Ondokuz Mayıs University; 55139 Samsun Turkey
| | - Serife Tütüncü
- Department of Histology and Embryology; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; Ondokuz Mayıs University; 55139 Samsun Turkey
| | - Murat Kabak
- Department of Anatomy; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; Ondokuz Mayıs University; 55139 Samsun Turkey
| | - Aydın Alan
- Department of Anatomy; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; Erciyes University; 38039 Kayseri Turkey
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Erdoǧan S, Pèrez W, Alan A. Anatomical and scanning electron microscopic investigations of the tongue and laryngeal entrance in the long-legged buzzard (Buteo rufinus, Cretzschmar, 1829). Microsc Res Tech 2012; 75:1245-52. [PMID: 22496047 DOI: 10.1002/jemt.22057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2012] [Accepted: 03/19/2012] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
This research aimed to examine the morphological features of the tongue and laryngeal entrance of long-legged buzzard by macroscopic and scanning electron microscopic methods. Two adult buzzards were used as material. The tongue was fairly elongated and terminated in oval shovel-like apex. Scale-like projections were localized on the apex and body of tongue. Both lateral sides of lingual body were contained considerably long thread-like projections. Many orifices of lingual posterior salivary glands were discerned among scale-like projections in median sulcus of the lingual body. Papillary crest of sharp conical papilla were observed on the between the body and root of the tongue. No conical papillae or other projections were existent on the root of the tongue, but numerous orifices of posterior salivary gland ducts were detected. In addition, orifices of anterior salivary gland ducts were present on the dorsal and lateral surfaces of the lingual body. Numerous conical papillae were observed on the caudal region of glottis and no conical papillae or any similar projection which were bordered the glottic fissure was noted. Anatomy of these organs in the long-legged buzzard and white tailed eagle which are the member of the same family, Accipitridae, revealed very high similarity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serkan Erdoǧan
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Anatomy, University of Dicle, Diyarbakir 21280, Turkey.
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Sağsöz H, Erdoğan S, Akbalik ME. Histomorphological structure of the palate and histochemical profiles of the salivary palatine glands in the Chukar partridge ( Alectoris chukar, Gray 1830). ACTA ZOOL-STOCKHOLM 2012. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1463-6395.2012.00566.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hakan Sağsöz
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; Dicle University; Diyarbakir; 21280; Turkey
| | - Serkan Erdoğan
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; Dicle University; Diyarbakir; 21280; Turkey
| | - Mehmet E. Akbalik
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; Dicle University; Diyarbakir; 21280; Turkey
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Gross anatomical features of the tongue, lingual skeleton and laryngeal mound of Rhea americana (Palaeognathae, Aves): morpho-functional considerations. ZOOMORPHOLOGY 2012. [DOI: 10.1007/s00435-012-0156-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Erdogan S, Alan A. Gross anatomical and scanning electron microscopic studies of the oropharyngeal cavity in the European magpie (Pica pica) and the common raven (Corvus corax). Microsc Res Tech 2011; 75:379-87. [PMID: 21898667 DOI: 10.1002/jemt.21067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2011] [Accepted: 07/04/2011] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
There is no descriptive information about morphology of the oropharyngeal cavity including tongue, palate, and laryngeal region in Corvidae family. This study not only presents the first definitive anatomical description of the structures in the oropharyngeal cavity of magpie and raven but also reviews and compares the scattered information on the morphology of the other avian species available in the literature. In this study, the organs of four birds (two magpies and two ravens) were used. The tongue in magpie and raven was considerably elongated and terminated with an oval-shaped apex. Although the lingual apex in the magpie was divided by fissure, no such bifurcation existed on that of raven. Lingual apex was quite distinctive in both species, and multiple acicular processes covered the apex. These occurrences on the tongue of magpie were replaced by thread-like processes as approaching the lingual body. In raven, these processes were mostly foliated, becoming longer toward the back of the lingua, and denser compared with raven. Moreover, we observed conical papillary crest, which was pointed backward and located between the lingual body and the radix of the tongue and pharyngeal conical papillae around the glottis and palate clefts in both species. There was a transversal fold separating the choanal cleft from the infundibular cleft in raven. Anatomy of the oropharyngeal cavity in the raven and magpie, which are the member of the same family, Corvidae, showed little differences and overall their oral morphological features were excessively similar.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serkan Erdogan
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Dicle, 21280 Diyarbakir, Turkey.
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Abstract
Despite numerous morphological studies on the avian tongue, very little meaningful information is currently available on the surface features of this organ using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The only SEM description of a ratite tongue is that of the ostrich, although the descriptions are brief and superficial. This SEM study of the emu tongue confirms and compliments the comprehensive macroscopic and histological data available for this commercially important species. The tongues of five emus were fixed, cut into blocks representing the dorsum, ventrum and root and routinely processed for SEM. Three morphologically distinguishable surface types (desquamating, non-desquamating and lymphoepithelium) related to peculiarities in surface cell shape and status (desquamating or non-desquamating), cell surface modifications and distribution of gland openings, and which showed a regional distribution, could be identified. Three basic types of cell surface modifications (microplicae, microvilli and cilia) were observed, with microvilli and cilia being described for the first time in an avian tongue by SEM. The desquamating surface cells fulfil a mechanical protective function, whereas the microplicae, microvilli and cilia appear to be adaptations for the trapping and spreading of mucus which also fulfils a protective function.
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Affiliation(s)
- M R Crole
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort, 0110 South Africa.
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Crole MR, Soley JT. Gross morphology of the intra-oral rhamphotheca, oropharynx and proximal oesophagus of the emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae). Anat Histol Embryol 2010; 39:207-18. [PMID: 20353488 DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0264.2010.00998.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Information on the gross morphology of the upper digestive tract of ratites is sparse. This is an important region considering that it is the first area for food selection and intake which is vital to the nutrition and growth of the animal and therefore its commercial viability. Twenty-three heads from sub-adult (12-14 months) emus were used to provide a definitive description of the oropharynx and proximal oesophagus. Besides supplying baseline morphological data of veterinary importance, this study also underlines the functional importance of this region. The mandibular and maxillary nails, and serrations on the rostral mandibular tomia, provide the emu with a formidable combination of gripping, tearing and pecking power. The folded oropharyngeal floor allows distention of the dorso-ventrally flattened cavity during eating and drinking. The laryngeal mound performs both respiratory and digestive functions, whereas the distensible proximal oesophagus supports the particular feeding method employed by ratites.
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Affiliation(s)
- M R Crole
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, 0110 South Africa.
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