Light and scanning electron microscopy studies of quail tongues

The present study was conducted on the tongues of six Punjab white quails. The tissues from the apex, body and root of the tongue were processed for paraffin sectioning and scanning electron microscopy studies. The tongue was triangular in shape having an apex, body and root. The dorsal surface of the apex and body was smooth whereas large lingual conical papillae were located symmetrically and converging in median line between the body and the root. There was an additional layer of conical papillae composed of two large papillae behind the main row of papillae. The tongue was lined by stratified squamous epithelium which was keratinised at the apex. The anterior lingual salivary glands were mainly serous type whereas the posterior salivary glands were mucous type. There were topographical differences in the size, shape and appearance of the exfoliated superficial cells of the dorsal surface epithelium in the apex and body of the tongue.