Histomorphological Peculiarities of the Tongue of Indian Dromedary Camel (Camelus dromedarius)

The present study was conducted on 10 tongues of recently dead adult camels (Camelus dromedarius), irrespective to age and sex, who were free from any pathological condition of tongue. Histologically, the tongue of camel consisted of mucosa, muscle layers, glands, blood vessels and nerves. The mucosa consisted of keratinised stratified squamous epithelium and lamina propria. Each papilla consisted of a central connective tissue core of lamina propria covered by keratinised stratified squamous epithelium. The keratinisation was more on the mechanical papillae as compared to gustatory papillae. The taste buds were present in the epithelium of the gustatory papillae. The filiform papillae were slender, elongated and sharp pointed structures. The lenticular papillae were round in shape and surrounded by a prominent papillary groove. The conical papillae were of 2 types. The small conical papilla was curved and blunt with a flat or rounded tip and large papilla was conical with a pointed tip. The fungiform papillae were small rounded button shaped and were of 2 types viz. dome shape and bud shape. Circumvallate papillae were large, rounded elongated structures. Each papilla was completely separated from thick annular fold by a deep gustatory groove. The lamina propria was composed of loosely interwoven collagen, reticular and elastic fibres, separating the epithelium from muscles. The bulk of tongue consisted of longitudinally, transversely and obliquely arranged intrinsic muscles which were essentially of striated type. Gustatory glands were associated with circumvallate papillae and were serous in nature. The glands of the root region and lateral margins of the torus were of mucous variety. The lyssa was composed of adipose tissue and striated muscle fibres.