Distribution and structure of glandular tissue in the oropharynx and proximal esophagus of the emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae)

dc.contributor.authorCrole, Martina Rachel
dc.contributor.authorSoley, John Thomson
dc.contributor.emailmartina.crole@up.ac.zaen
dc.date.accessioned2011-11-28T06:51:43Z
dc.date.available2011-11-28T06:51:43Z
dc.date.issued2011-07
dc.description.abstractThe glandular regions of the upper digestive tract in the emu were non-pigmented (except for the tongue in most specimens) and invested by a non-keratinised stratified squamous epithelium. The glands found in these regions were exclusively simple in nature and composed of tubular secretory units lined by Periodic Acid Schiff Stain-positive mucus-secreting cells. The naming of the various glandular fields was based on previously identified anatomical features and on nomenclature modified from previous studies on birds. The glands were classified into two main types, namely, simple tubular and simple branched tubular mucus-secreting glands. Simple branched tubular glands were a feature of the regions exposed to the greatest amount of friction during feeding, whereas simple tubular glands were a feature of regions exposed to less friction. The saliva produced by the salivary glands in birds functions to moisturize and lubricate food boli. Mucins in saliva also protect mucosal surfaces from desiccation and mechanical damage, assist in maintaining cellular water balance, provide lubrication and have an antimicrobial action. This study suggests that, in addition to the role of specific gross anatomical features, the type and distribution of glandular tissue in the emu upper digestive tract supports the cranioinertial feeding method employed by this species.en
dc.description.librarianab2012en
dc.description.sponsorshipUniversity of Pretoria, South Africa.en
dc.description.urihttp://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1463-6395en
dc.identifier.citationCrole, MR & Soley, JT 2011, 'Distribution and structure of glandular tissue in the oropharynx and proximal esophagus of the emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae)', Acta Zoologica, vol. 92, no.3, pp. 206-215.en
dc.identifier.issn0001-7272 (print)
dc.identifier.issn1463-6395 (online)
dc.identifier.other10.1111/j.1463-6395.2010.00457.x
dc.identifier.other6701816856
dc.identifier.other36143778600
dc.identifier.otherG-9839-2014
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/17663
dc.language.isoenen
dc.publisherWiley-Blackwellen
dc.rights© 2010 The Authors. © 2010 The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. The definite version is available at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com. This article is embargoed by the publisher until July 2012.en
dc.subjectOropharynxen
dc.subjectGlandsen
dc.subject.lcshEmus -- Anatomyen
dc.subject.lcshEsophagusen
dc.subject.lcshGlandsen
dc.subject.lcshVeterinary anatomyen
dc.titleDistribution and structure of glandular tissue in the oropharynx and proximal esophagus of the emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae)en
dc.typePostprint Articleen

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