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

Abstract

The present study was aimed to describe the gross morphological features of emu tongue with its location in the oropharyngeal cavity. Twelve emu heads with intact tongue was collected from slaughter house and were fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin to study topography and gross anatomy. The tongue was triangular in shape with distinct lateral and caudal papillae, located in the middle third of the oropharynx. The surface of the tongue showed pigmentation and slightly raised dorsal surface at the root. The tongue consisted of body, root and apex with blunt pointed end. The supportive frame work of tongue was formed by lingual skeleton and it consisted of basihyale, urohyale, ceratohyale and paraglossum. The tongue was firmly attached to the floor of the oropharynx by fleshy membranous frenulum.