Histological & histochemical studies on the tongue of camel (Camelus dromedaries ) during the ontogenetic development

The results presented in this investigation elucidate the histological and histochemi~al structure of the camel tongue (Camelus dermedarius) during ontogenetic itages using 50 foetuses at different ages ranging from 67-355 daysintrauterine as well as the tongues of 12 camels. ranging between 2.5-22 years old obtained from slaughter houses.The epithelium firstly was formed from one layer of cuboidal or low columnar cells, than b.ecame double layersin the tongue of 72 days foetuses, then beea~ stratified squ.amous in the advanced ages. The s,tratum conrneumappeared in foetuses of 284 days. In senile age s the lingual epitheliu.m became less in thickness than thatof ndul t camels. The fungiform papillae were the first to appear infoetuses of 86 days and were di!Jtributed among the filiform~pillae on the dorsal surface as well as th,e ventral IlU’face of the tip.The circUnNallate papillae was the second to appear •:ts moat appeared in foetuses of 123 days. These papillae~ried taste buds on its dorsal surface and on the sides fthe moat. It appeared as one on eaoh side then increasednu.mber to each 6-7 papillae on each side of the torus