Macroscopic Anatomy of Prenatal Goat Tongue

Abstract

The study was conducted on the developing tongue of 18 healthy goat embryos/foeti to notice the developmental changes in the tongue and its papillae. The embryos/ foeti were divided into three groups viz. Group I (below 50 days gestation), Group II (50-100 days of gestation) and Group III (100 days of gestation to full term) comprising of 6 foeti in each group. Three distinct parts viz cranial apex, middle body and caudal root were identified from 43 days onwards. Median sulcus of the tongue became evident from 45 days of gestation. Well developed lingual papillae were encountered on the developing tongue of goat at various stages of gestation viz fungiform (69 days), filiform (99 days), circumvallate (99 days), conical (127 days) and lenticular papillae (127 days) of gestation. Distinct Torus lingue and lingual fossa were observed at 99 days of fetal age. The growth of the tongue was fastest in the mid prenatal period followed by late prenatal period. The weight of the tongue was recorded highest in the third group as compared to second and first group. The growth in terms of the length was the fastest in comparison to width and thickness of the tongue. The thickness and width of the tongue were recorded highest at the root of the tongue as compare to tip and body.