Tongue of Laughing Dove (Stigmatopelia senegalensis): Histochemical and Ultrastructural Characteristics

Abstract

This study examined the morphology and histology of the adult laughing dove tongue from birds of both sexes and compared the results those reported in the literature concerning other bird species. The tongue of the adult laughing dove has an elongated triangular shape and a median groove. Both dorsal and ventral lingual surfaces were covered by keratinized stratified squamous epithelium, which decreased in thickness and degree of keratinization, when progressing toward the root. The dorsal surface of the lingual apex and body showed desquamated epithelial cells with differences in size, shape and appearance of these cells according to their location on the tongue. The openings of lingual glands were observed on the ventrolateral surface of the caudal half of the body of the tongue. A narrow rim of fibrous connective tissue beneath the epithelium surrounding the central lingual core was composed of a single cartilaginous plate and skeletal muscle bundles. Large conical papillae were located symmetrically between the body and root of the tongue. An additional row of conical papillae were located behind the previously mentioned row. The ventral aspect of the tongue was free from any papillae but had numerous shallow folds in addition to a row of three openings for lingual salivary glands.