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Surface Morphology of the Emu ( Dromaius novaehollandiae ) Tongue
Author(s) -
Crole M. R.,
Soley J. T.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
anatomia, histologia, embryologia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.34
H-Index - 35
eISSN - 1439-0264
pISSN - 0340-2096
DOI - 10.1111/j.1439-0264.2010.01002.x
Subject(s) - tongue , cilium , anatomy , dorsum , mucus , biology , morphology (biology) , scanning electron microscope , pathology , microbiology and biotechnology , zoology , medicine , materials science , paleontology , composite material
With 18 figures Summary 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.