Anatomical and histological study of tongue in ground squirrel

The aim of this study was to investigate the anatomical and histological structure of the tongue in ground squirrels. This animal is widely distributed all over the world, especially in the Middle East, but no study has been reported on its tongue structure. In this investigation, we studied five squirrels that were died due to the road accidents. The freshly samples were collected and fixed in ۱۰% formalin solution and after being transferred to the laboratory, the tongue tissue was separated and was studied anatomically. Then, the samples entered the tissue passage stages, and ۵-۷ µm thick sections were prepared from the paraffin blocks and stained by the hematoxylin-eosin method. The results of this study showed that the surface of the tongue is covered by filiform papillae. Between this papillae, Fungiform papillae without taste buds were visible from the apex to root of the tongue. Three numbers of circumvallate papillae were also visible at the root of the tongue, which were the only chemical papillae of the tongue in this rodent. Most of the tongue structure was made up of skeletal muscles. Lingual glands were serous and mucous secretory units and could be seen only in root of tongue. According to the results of the present study, despite the unique differences in the tongue structure in the ground squirrel, it seems that in general, the tongue structure in this ground squirrel is similar to other squirrel families, especially the Iranian squirrel.

کلیدواژه ها:

Lingual papillae ، Lingual glands ، Ground squirrel ، Histology ، Morphometry ، Lingual papillae ، Lingual glands ، Ground squirrel ، Histology ، Morphometry