The morphology of different lingual papillae of the Egyptian goats was studied by gross observation, scanning electron microscopy, and light microscopy. According to function, two types of papillae were present; mechanical (filiform, conical and lenticular papillae) and gustatory papillae (fungiform and vallate papillae). Two types of filiform papillae were detected with different shape and position. Moreover, two types of conical and lenticular papillae could be recognized on the lingual torus. Abundant fungiform papillae were found on the dorsal and ventral surfaces of the tip of the tongue. The vallate papillae had also different shapes. Taste buds were demonstrated within the epithelium of the dorsal surfaces of the fungiform papillae and the lateral surfaces of the vallate papillae. In addition, a longitudinal row of large papillae was located on the lateral aspect of the tongue in relation to the filiform papillae. These papillae were suggested to be called elongated conical papillae and may be considered as ones of the lingual papillae. In conclusion, the current study provides a detailed description of the different lingual papillae of the Egyptian goat's tongue. Presence of different types and shapes of mechanical and gustatory lingual papillae in goats' tongue suggests a high degree of functional adaptation to their diet.

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The aim of this study was to investigate the morphology of the goat hard palate by light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), in addition to gross and morphometric analysis. A total of twelve goat heads, from normal adult and apparently healthy goats of both sexes, were collected from local slaughterhouses in Qena province, Egypt. Samples were subjected to gross examination, morphometric analysis, light microscopy and SEM. The hard palate in the goats was long and could be divided into a rostral narrow part and a caudal wide part with about 12-15 transverse palatine ridges from which the rostral palatine ridges were serrated on their free caudal edges. The dental pad replaced the upper incisors; its caudal border had a serrated appearance. At higher magnification, the epithelial surface of the palatine rugae and incisive papilla revealed a variety in the shape of the microplicae and the pattern of the micropits. These adaptations of the goat's hard palate might increase its efficiency during ingestion and mastication of coarse roughages and in directing the food backwards. To our knowledge, this is the first study showed the detailed anatomical description of the hard palate of the goat with SEM.

The present study was implemented to provide comprehensive information on the developmental sequence of the proventriculus of Muscovy ducks by gross examination, macro-micrometric analysis and by using light microscope, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). Samples from 55 healthy post-hatching Muscovy ducks of both sexes ranging from 1 to 60 days old. The proventriculus began cranially opposite to the cranial end of the liver at 1-15 days old, but in front this level at 30 and 60 days old. Morphometrically, the length of the proventriculus was increased by about four folds while weight by 19 folds at 60 days old when compared with those at one day old. Scanning electron microscopy of the proventricular lumen at one day old exhibited numerous small mostly rounded irregularly distributed openings of the glands, but uniformly distributed and surrounded by closely packed concentrically arranged mucosal folds resembling a rosette shape at the older ages. Histologically, in all studied stages, rounded, elongated oval or polymorphic shaped lobules of the proventricular glands were occupied within the muscularis mucosa. The tubuloalveolar secretory units lined with secretory (oxyntico-peptic) cells with variable shapes had secretory granules increased by the development. Numerous argyrophilic endocrine cells were demonstrated away from the glandular lumen at older ages. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that the cytoplasm of the secretory cells contained homogeneously electron-dense granules at a young age, but two types of these granules could be recognized at 60 days old. In conclusion, this study provides a wide difference in the morphometric and the structure of the proventriculus from one day to 60 days old. This difference between the examined age-stages may be related to the feeding strategy (behavior) and the functional adaptations from the young to the older ages.

The current study was done to provide comprehensive information on the anatomical features of the lips and cheeks of the goat by gross examination and morphometric analysis in addition to scanning electron microscope (SEM). Samples from 12 normal healthy adult goat's heads of both sexes were collected directly after slaughtering. The lips and cheeks were dissected, and specimens were collected for both light and SEM. The lips of goat were soft and mobile. The free border of both lips was characterized rostrally by the presence of labial projections. The number, size, and arrangement of labial projections differed in the upper and lower lips. On the other hand, the buccal papillae were arranged into 6–8 longitudinal rows parallel to the cheek teeth. The length of these papillae decreased caudally while they were absent on the most caudal part of the cheek. Presence of several types and shapes of labial projections and papillae, and buccal papillae suggest a high degree of mechanical adaptation of the lips and cheeks of the goat. This study provides baseline data for clinical studies. This study is the first report to shed light on the morphology of the lips and cheeks of the goat by gross and scanning electron microscopy.