Gross Anatomical Features of the Tongue of Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae)

The gross morphological features of avian tongue have been described in numerous species with its functional adaptation to the mode of feeding. The most comprehensive studies of ostrich tongue were reported in detail by Jackowiak and Ludwig (2008) and Tivane (2008). But the information on gross anatomy of emu tongue is very scanty. Therefore, an attempt was made to study the topography and morphology of tongue in emu species. MATERIALS AND METHODS The head along with tongue and lingual skeleton were collected from 12 apparently healthy adult emu of either sex from slaughter house at Dindugul. Immediately after collection, the oral cavity was examined to observe the topographical relationship of tongue within the oropharyngeal cavity. The tongue was removed and rinsed in running tap water to remove the blood and tissue debris. Then they were preserved in 10 % neutral buffered formalin and allowed to fix for 24 hours. The fixed specimens were used to study the gross anatomical features of the tongue. The tongue along with lingual skeleton was removed by cutting the frenulum. The length (from apex to the posterior edge of the caudal papillae) and width (at the middle of the body of tongue) were measured and number of lateral and caudal papillae were counted