Histological structure of the Tongue in Mongoose (Herpestes javanicus)

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the histological structure of the tongue in Mongoose (Herpestes javanicus) and its related to the feeding pattern. Five adult animals were used in this study. The tongues were dissected and fixed in 10% formalin, then prepared by following stages (dehydration, clearing, and embedding). The serial section(5μ) were stained with(H&E) and some special stains. The histological examination showed that the tongue consists of three tunicae (mucosa, submucosa and musclaris) and the lining epithelium of the filiform papillae is composed of keratinized stratified squamous epithelial tissue. The cylindrical papillae are covered with a highly keratinized stratified squamous epithelial tissue, whereas the keratinized stratified squamous epithelium tissue is weakly keratinized at fungiform papillae, whilst circumvallate papillae are non-keratinized. The medullary of the papillae consists of a loose connective tissue which is considered as the lamina propria of the tongue, while the tunica submucosa consists of dense connective tissue. The muscularis is composed of skeletal muscle fibres arranged in three direction longitudinal, transverse and obliquate. The lingual glands(Von-Ebner and Weber) placed on both sides of the lingual root at the tunica submucosa and extend to the tunica muscularis. This study pointed out that the secretion of glands is mixed and the mucin is more neutral than acid.