The Camel Rhinarium: A Study Revealing the Presence of the Nasal Plane in Dromedary Camel (Camelus dromedarius),with Special Reference to Its Epidermal Structure

Abstract

The aim of this study was to prove that the nasal plane (Planum nasale) present in camel (Camelus dromedarius). Furthermore, it was the first description of the gross and primary microscopic anatomy as well as the epidermal ultrastructure of the camel nasal plane. Grossly, the camel rhinarium was formed of the glabrous grayish-black skin that extended to cover the philtrum and the medial nasal angles. It was composed of two perinasal parts and an inter-labial part. A shallow groove was passed across its middle. A dermatoglyphic pattern of epidermal ridges with primary and secondary fissures in between was revealed by scanning electron microscopy. The nasal plane was very small in relation to the camel head size. In general, the morphological appearance of the camel rhinarium was greatly similar to that of the proboscis-bearing mammals. The basic histological structure as well as the epidermal ultrastructure of the camel nasal plane was observed to resemble very closely the common type. Few differences were found, including indistinct or absent hypodermal layer, thinner stratum corneum and some basal cells have unusual sinuous bases.

MORPHOLOGY AND HISTOLOGY OF THE EURASIAN LYNX (Lynx lynx) PLANUM NASALE

“…On close macroscopic inspection, the planum nasale surface of the Eurasian lynx appears to be composed of packed polygonal plates or epidermal ridges, fissures, and a philtrum, as depicted in carnivores (8, 9), camels (5), and lemurs (3). In addition, the shape of the Eurasian lynx's planum nasale resembles a ship anchor consisting of arm, palm, shank, stock, and shackle parts.…”

“…The planum nasale, which comes from a Latin word meaning the tip of the nose, is a well-studied anatomical and histological structure in various species (3,4,5,6,7). This anatomical structure is called the nasal plane (planum nasale) in carnivores and small ruminants but the nasolabial plane (planum nasolabiale) in large ruminants and the rostral plane (planum rostrale) in swine.…”

“…The skin of the nasal plane includes medial nasal wings, which are differentiated for adaptation to different environments. The surface of the nasal plane skin exhibits a unique morphology that includes papillae or epidermal ridges (4,5). The anatomical structure consists of the epidermal ridges, which are used as a nasal print (5,12) because of the individual animal's characteristics throughout life (13,14).…”

“…The surface of the nasal plane skin exhibits a unique morphology that includes papillae or epidermal ridges (4,5). The anatomical structure consists of the epidermal ridges, which are used as a nasal print (5,12) because of the individual animal's characteristics throughout life (13,14). Histologically, the planum nasale's skin consists of an epidermis and a dermis.…”

“…Histologically, the planum nasale's skin consists of an epidermis and a dermis. In addition, Esrah (5) reported that skeleton muscle exists just below the dermis.…”