Structure and postnatal development of the pharynx in Japanese quail were studied using 72 quail chicks from day-old to 60 days of age. Pharynx was lined by stratified squamous epithelium which was keratinized on papillae. Salivary glands were medial and lateral palatine, sphenopterygoid and cricoarytenoid glands. Medial palatine glands exhibited serous cells also whereas all the other glands showed only mucous cells. Within the choanal slit and laryngeal inlet the squamous epithelium changed into pseudostratified ciliated columnar type.
Japanese quail, pharynx, postnatal development
