Histology and Histochemistry of Tonsil of Soft Palate of the Sheep (Ovis aries)

Abstract

Soft palate of the sheep having nasal and oral surfaces was studied in six young sheep of local mixed breed. The nasal surface was lined by pseudostratified columnar ciliated epithelium with goblet cells. The respiratory epithelium was modified at places into the follicle associated epithelium due to infiltration of lymphoid tissue from the propria. The goblet cells presented a strong PAS positive reaction for glycogen, acidic, neutral and weakly sulfated mucopolysaccharides. Isolated patches of mucosa also showed presence of stratified squamous nonkeratinised epithelium. Propria submucosa had loose irregular connective tissue, small aggregations of lymphoid tissue, isolated lymphoid follicles and clusters of mucous glandular acini. The glandular acini and their ducts also presented a strong PAS positive reaction similar to that of goblet cells.