Macroscopical and Microscopical Observations of the Tongue in the Iraqi Goat (Capra hircus)

The current study conducted on 20 head of goat. The mean weights, length, width, and thickness of tongue in goat (Capra hircus) were recorded. The location, distributions and shape of lingual papillae as well as lingual glands were well described anatomically. Specimens from the tongue of goat selected for histological were processed and staining with: Hematoxylin and eosin and PAS. Grossly observations reveled, shallow median longitudinal groove notice on the dorsal surface of apex of tongue. torus linguae which limited rostrally by a shallow lingual fossa. Filiform, conical and lentiform papillae exert mechanical function whereas fungiform and vallate papillae have gustatory function. Histological examination of the tongue revealed abundant keratinized tissue of dorsal surface. Serous and mucous lingual salivary glands are present among the muscle bundls and submucosa. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the Macroscopical and microscopical structure of the tongue in the Iraqi goat.