Estudio morfológico e histológico comparativo de la lengua en cabras Gurcu y Abaza (Capra hircus)

This study aimed to investigate and compare the anatomical and histological features of the Abaza and Gurcu goats tongue which plays a crucial role in taste and swallowing. Fourteen goat heads (n:7 Abaza, n:7 Gurcu) were used in the study. Latex injection was performed into the common carotid artery to visualize the arterial supply of the tongue. The tongues were then dissected from the goat heads, and measurements were taken for descriptive statistical analysis. According to descriptive statistical data, the average total length of the tongue in Gurcu goats was measured as 124.56 mm, while in Abaza goats it was 120.33 mm. The average width of the apex linguae in Gurcu goats was measured as 7.60 mm, and its length as 32.33 mm. In Abaza goats, the width of the apex linguae was recorded as 8.29 mm, and its length as 33.91 mm. In Gurcu goats, it was observed that the right lingual artery disappeared immediately after branching off from the right external carotid artery. The arterial supply to the right side of the tongue was found to be provided by a strong branch originating from the left lingual artery. Papillae were observed in all regions of the tongue, and Crosmonn’s trichrome stain was applied to tongue samples taken from goats for histological examination. Microscopic examinations revealed similar histological findings in both goat breeds. The epidermis, lamina propria, submucosa, and muscle layers of the tongue tissue were distinguished. Histologically, the goat tongue was found to have a thin lamina propria layer, relative to the size of the tongue tissue, beneath a thick keratinized epithelial layer on the dorsal side. The tongue papillae were identified as the filiform papilla, cone papilla, lenticular papilla, fungiform papilla, and circumvallate papilla. It was observed that the filiform papilla and lenticular papilla existed in two types.