Difference between revisions of "Avian Tongue - Anatomy & Physiology"

Revision as of 18:20, 10 December 2010

Overview

The size and structure of the avian tongue varies between species. It is related to functional requirements.

Avian Tongue - Copyright RVC 2008

Structure and Function

The avian tongue is narrow, pointed and contains little intrinsic muscle. The enteroglossal bone is present consisting of bone and cartilage with medullary spaces containing red marrow. It is supported by the lingual process of the hyoid bone and rudimentary lingual muscles. It contains striated muslce fibres.

Histology

A few caudally directed horny papillae are present

Thick stratified squamous epithelium

Keratinised

Mucoid glands

No taste buds

Lymphatic tissue spread throughout the corium

Species Differences

Parrots use their muscular tongue to lap water and to produce human sounds (see here).

Links

Test yourself with the Avian Alimentary Tract Flashcards.

Click here for tongue - Anatomy & Physiology.

@@ Line 8: / Line 8: @@
 The avian tongue is narrow, pointed and contains little intrinsic muscle. The '''enteroglossal bone''' is present consisting of bone and cartilage with medullary spaces containing red marrow. It is supported by the lingual process of the '''[[Hyoid Apparatus - Anatomy & Physiology|hyoid bone]]''' and rudimentary lingual muscles. It contains striated muslce fibres.
+==Histology==
+*A few caudally directed horny papillae are present
+*Thick stratified squamous epithelium
+*Keratinised
+*Mucoid glands
+*No [[Tongue - Anatomy & Physiology#Taste Buds|taste buds]]
+*Lymphatic tissue spread throughout the corium
 ==Species Differences==
@@ Line 16: / Line 30: @@
 '''Test yourself with the [[The Avian Alimentary Tract - Anatomy & Physiology - Flashcards|Avian Alimentary Tract Flashcards]]'''.
-'''Click here for [[Avian Tongue - Histology|avian tongue histology]]'''.
 '''Click here for [[Tongue - Anatomy & Physiology|tongue - Anatomy & Physiology]]'''.