Morphological features of pharyngeal roof of Egyptian geese (Alopochen aegyptiacus)

Abstract

The anatomy of the pharyngeal roof of Egyptian geese has been studied to define the structural features which may affect swallowing and food intake, in addition to provide a basis for bird pathology identification in this area. The results showed that the pharyngeal roof of geese was smooth with numerous scattered conical papillae of various sizes and had several openings of the sphenopterygoid salivary glands. Its length was 16.2 mm, about 16.5 percent of the total length of the oropharyngeal roof. A common opening of both ear tubes; infundibular cleft, was measured 8.09 mm and extended caudally to pharyngoesophageal junction through shallow groove. The pharyngeal mucosa contained abundant mucous and serous glands associated with lymphatic nodules, in addition to accumulation of nerve cells. In conclusion there were some anatomical features of the pharyngeal roof of geese that are unique to this species and morphological changes to this area of the digestive tract can reflect adaptations to the bird's environment and mode of feeding.

Keywords

• pharyngeal roof
• geese
• papillae
• sphenopterygoid salivary glands