Lingual Structure in the Domestic Pigeon (Columba Livia Domestica): A Light and Scanning Electron Microscopic Study

The aim of the present study was to investigate the light and electron microscopic structure of the tongue in pigeon. Three parts are distinguished in the dorsal surface of the tongue: the apex, the body and the root of the tongue. On the dorsal surface of the apex and body of the tongue a median groove is found. Large conical papillae are located symmetrically in the form of the letter U in the marginal region between the body and root of the tongue. The epithelium of the whole dorsal surface of the lingual apex and body presents the carpet-shaped aspect. The dorsal surface of the root of the tongue, however presented smooth aspect with no densely packed desquamated cells. Microridges can also be seen clearly on the surface epithelium of the lingual root. The PAS positive branched tubuloalveolar lingual salivary glands of the domestic pigeon composed of two laterally situated single strands, which extend from the apex of the tongue to the both sides of the laryngeal cleft. The ventral surface of the tongue is devoid of any glandular structure. Neither the morphology nor the dimensions of the tongue show sex-specific differences.