Investigation of Chicken (Gallus domesticus) Tongue by Morphometric and Scanning Electron Microscopic Methods

The aim of this study was to investigate the morphology of the tongue which plays an important role in the digestive and sensory system. The tongues of 20 female broilers were examined in this study. Tongues extracted after dissection were fixed in glutaraldehyde and observed under scanning electron microscope (SEM) and photographed. Also, morphometric measurements were performed. Macroscopically, the chicken tongue was triangular, ended with a sharp tip and adapted to the lower bill. It is composed of three parts; apex, body and radix of the tongue. The row of conical papillae (papillary crest) which organized as “V” shape was seen between the lingual body and radix. There were larger conical papillae on both lateral sides of this papillary crest. 2-6 huge conical set of papillae were observed in just the caudal of these larger conical papillae. Numerous orifices of microscopic salivary glands were observed in the radix of the tongue. There was no mechanical papilla on the body of the tongue. The tip of the tongue was very sharp and highly keratinized