Histo-Morphological Comparison of the Tongue between Grainivorous and Insectivorous Birds

The study aimed to illustrate the influence of feeding habits in anatomical feature and histological structure as well some histochemical observations on tongue two species birds which differ their classification, activity habitat as; domestic pigeon, Grainivorous bird, cattle egret, Insectivorous using light SEM studies. Results showed that was differing size, shape structure. pigeon appeared short triangular; while egret long lanceolate with narrow tapering apex. Dorsal large conical lingual papillae presented between body root both studied birds. They were arranged form U-letter wide V-letter egret. Histologically, dorsal ventral surfaces lined keratinized stratified squamous epithelium, decreased thickness degree keratinization toward base. dorsum apex desquamated epithelial cells filiform papillae, these not observed egret¢s tongue. contained longitudinal tendinous tissue intra-lingual ligament parallel accompanied skeletal muscle bundles attached entoglossal cartilage. It extended longitudinally from egret's salivary glands propria submucosal layer surface laterally root, devoid any glandular structures. nature variations observation Alcian blue stain PAS technique. has been summarized morphological tongues may be correlated habits.