General morphology of the oral cavity of the Nile crocodile

PUTTEAILL, J ,F, & SOLEY, J .T. 2003. General morphology of the oral cavity of the Nile crocodile, Crocodylus nl/Oricus (Laurentl, 1768). I. Palate and gingivae. Onderstepoort JoumaJ of Veterinary Research, 70:281297 The heads of nine 2.5 to 3-year-old Nile crocodites (Crocodyfus ni/Oticus) were obtained from a conr merclal farm where crocod~es are raised fo r their skins and meal The animals from which these specimens originated were clinically healthy at the time they were slaughtered. A detailed description of the macroscopic and mk;:rosoopic features 01 the palate and gingivae of the Nile crocodile Is presented and the results are compared with published infOlIDalion on this species and other Crocodylia. The histological features are supplemented by information supplied by scanning electron microscopy. Macroscopic features of interest are the small conical process situated al the base of the first two Incisors of the maxilla , the distribution of cobbled units on the palate. and the broad dentary shelf forming the rostral aspect of the mandible. Histologically the palate and gingivae did not differ significantly from each other and both regions showed a presence of Pacinian-type COI"pUSCles. Two types of senSOfY structures (laste receptors and pressure receptors) were identified In the regions examined. both involving modification of the epithelium and the underlying connective tissue. Keyword,: Crocodylus niloticus. histology, morphology, Nile crocodile, oral cavity, scannIng electron microscopy