| Scanning electron microscopical study of the lingual epithelium of green iguana (Iguana iguana). | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 18279492 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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During the last few years, green iguanas (Iguana iguana) have turned out to be one of the most popular pets. They are omnivorous. In their way of feeding, this crucial function is performed by capturing of the preys and mostly, this is carried out by the tongue. The role of the tongue is also fundamental during the intra-oral transport and during the swallowing of food. This has been reported in several studies about chameleons, agamids and iguanids, nevertheless published data about the mechanisms of capturing and swallowing the prey, and the morphological descriptions about the tongue epithelium, are scarce. Therefore, the aim of this present study was to analyse the morphology of the lingual epithelium in green iguanas by scanning electron microscopy. Three different areas were demonstrated on the tongue surface: the tongue tip, characterized by a smooth epithelium without papillae, a foretongue, completely covered by numerous closely packed cylindriform papillae, and a hindtongue with conical-like papillae. Some taste buds were recognized on the middle and the posterior parts of the tongue. Different functional roles could be hypothesized for the three tongue areas: the tongue tip could have a role related to the movements of the prey immediately after the capturing, while the middle papillae and the hindtongue could have an important role concerning the swallowing phase. |
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Authors:
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F Abbate; G Latella; G Montalbano; M C Guerrera; M B Levanti; E Ciriaco |
Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Date: 2008-02-14 |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Anatomia, histologia, embryologia Volume: 37 ISSN: 1439-0264 ISO Abbreviation: Anat Histol Embryol Publication Date: 2008 Aug |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2008-08-21 Completed Date: 2008-11-28 Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 7704218 Medline TA: Anat Histol Embryol Country: Germany |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 314-6 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Department of Morphology, Biochemistry, Physiology and Animal Productions, Section of Morphology, University of Messina - Polo Universitario Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy. abbatef@unime.it |
Export Citation:
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| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Animals Epithelial Cells Epithelium / ultrastructure Iguanas / anatomy & histology*, physiology* Microscopy, Electron, Scanning / methods, veterinary* Tongue / anatomy & histology, physiology, ultrastructure* |
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