Microvascularisation of the scrotal integument of Holstein-Friesian bulls.

Based on standard histological methods and specific injection technique, the study demonstrates for the first time the blood vessel system of the scrotal integument.The latter is relatively thin and shows a thick underlying fascia, the tunica dartos. The vessel networks found in both structures are somewhat different from each other, i.

Functional morphology of the tongue in the domestic goose (Anser anser f. domestica).

Using LM and SEM methods, the study describes microstructures in particular areas of the tongue of the goose. A thick multilayered keratinized epithelium forms the "lingual nail" and covers small and giant conical papillae, whereby the first functions as an exoskeleton of the tongue apex, and the latter are arranged along the lingual and well-developed connective tissue cores, and together with the bill lamellae are involved in cutting. The row of conical papillae on the lingual prominence prevents regurgitation of transported food.

Functional morphology of the tongue in the nutcracker (Nucifraga caryocatactes).

The nutcracker Nucifraga caryocatactes belongs to a group of bird species that use their beak and tongue as tools for obtaining food, such as seeds from hard-to-reach cones or nuts from shells. The aim of the present study, carried out with a scanning electron microscope, was to define the morphological features of the tongue of the nutcracker, which seems to be adapted to its environment through specific methods of obtaining food. One of the characteristic features of the nutcracker's tongue is the unique structure of the anterior part of the tongue, which has two long and highly keratinized processes - a product of the renewable keratinized layer of the epithelium covering the ventral surface of the tongue.

The microstructure of lingual papillae in the Egyptian fruit bat (Rousettus aegyptiacus) as observed by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy.

The microstructure of lingual papillae on the dorsal surface of the tongue of adult Egyptian fruit bats was examined by light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). This elongated tongue with a rounded apex is approximately 3 cm long -- including the 1.7cm length of the anterior free part of the tongue -- which facilitates considerable freedom of movement.

Scanning electron microscopic study of the lingual papillae in the arctic fox (Alopex lagopus L., 1758).

This study aims to show the distribution and the three-dimensional structure of the lingual papillae in the arctic fox. The macro- and microscopic structure of the tongue and its lingual papillae was studied in 11 adult arctic foxes. Two types of mechanical papillae were distinguished on the dorsal surface of the tongue--filiform papillae and conical papillae.

Morphology and morphometry of lingual papillae in adult and newborn Egyptian fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus).

The paper presents a comparison of the microscopic structure and morphometric traits of gustatory and mechanical lingual papillae in newborn and adult frugivorous Egyptian fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus). All of the four types of lingual papillae found in adult animals were observed on the tongue surface in the newborn Egyptian fruit bats. After the birth, the gustatory papillae (fungiform and vallate papillae) were especially well-developed, as their structural characteristics, such as morphology of the epithelium and presence of the taste buds, indicate that they have reached almost complete functional traits.

Lectin histochemistry of the endothelium of blood vessels in the mammalian integument, with remarks on the endothelial glycocalyx and blood vessel system nomenclature.

Based on sensitive light and electron microscopical lectin histochemistry, the distribution of saccharide residues is demonstrated in endothelial cells and/or the walls of integumental blood vessels of domesticated and wild mammals. In addition, the nomenclature of the blood vessel system in the skin is reviewed, and modified according to a generalized mammalian approach. Our comparative attempt demonstrated three (upper, mid-dermal, and dermal) plexus or retia in the integument of mammals of important systematic groups.

Light and scanning electron microscopic study on the structure of the lingual papillae of the feathertail glider (Acrobates pygmeus, Burramyidae, Marsupialia).

The structure of the tongue of the marsupial feathertail glider (Acrobates pygmeus) was observed under a light and scanning electron microscope. The elongated tongue with a sharpened apex is ca. 10 mm in length.

Coronary arteries of the roe deer (Capreolus capreolus; Linnaeus 1758) heart.

A study of the coronary arteries of the roe deer heart was performed on 21 hearts of animals of both sexes and various ages. The roe deer heart is supplied by two arteries: the left coronary artery and the right coronary artery. The left coronary artery arises from the left aortic sinus and forms a short common trunk.

Observations on the actual structural conditions in the stratum superficiale dermidis of porcine ear skin, with special reference to its use as model for human skin.

The results obtained from the outer ear skin of female pigs (German Landrace) by light microscopy (LM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and cryo scanning electron microscopy (cryo SEM) methods, in particular relying on careful and artefact-free tissue processing, exhibited that the stratum superficiale dermidis of the auricle had a very homogeneous and compact construction, especially in one area (central dorsum auriculae). Based upon the important measurements made [average thickness of stratum superficiale dermidis: 94 (+/-16) microm, region A: 81 (+/-10); average thickness of collagen fibre bundles: 12 (+/-2) microm, region A: 13 (+/-0.5); average density of subepidermal capillaries: 3134 (+/-459) loops/cm2, region A: 3497 (+/-247)], this impression was confirmed by low standard deviations for all parameters, in comparison to marginal locations studied.

Vallate papillae in the domestic rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus f. domestica).

On the root of the tongue in the rabbit there are two symmetrically located vallate papillae, covered by nonkeratinized stratified squamous epithelium. The epithelium is characterized by variable thicknesses, forming epithelial streaks of different length and irregular shape. Taste buds are found both in the epithelium covering the papillae and in the epithelium of the outer walls of the papillae from the side of the furrows.

Fungiform papillae of the tongue in the rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus).

Examinations were conducted on four tongues of adult rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). On the basis of observations in a scanning electron microscope (SEM) it was found that fungiform papillae in the rabbit are located on the dorsal surface of the apex and body of the tongue, in the front of the torus of the tongue and on the margins of the tongue. Moreover, fungiform papillae are located laterally in relation to the torus of the tongue and are arranged linearly.

Microvascularization of the canine hepatic ducts.

The angioarchitecture of the proximal and distal segments of the hepatic duct in the dog was investigated by means of vascular corrosion casts under a scanning electron microscope. The results of observations indicated a change of the pattern of vascularization of the hepatic duct along with the increasing distance of the hepatic duct from the liver and increasing diameter of the duct. In the proximal hepatic duct, the main blood vessels run along the duct as a pair of supplying arteriole and voluminous collecting venule, while in the distal segments of the hepatic duct on the opposite margin of the duct two vascular triads were observed, composed of two venules and one medial arteriole.

A comparative LM and SEM study of the structure of the mucosal glands of the gallbladder in two species of canids: the dog and the Chinese raccoon dog.

The studies were performed on the mucosa of the body of the gallbladder in the dog and Chinese raccoon dog, species belonging to the Canidae family. The mucosal glands in both species mostly have the form of alveolar or short tubular secretory units without excretory ducts and are situated in the middle part at the bottom of the crypts surrounded by folds of the mucosa. Sporadically we observed the mucous intraepithelial glands.

The variability of cranial morphology in modern horses.

Horses bred nowadays are characterized by high variability of the body build. The variability concerns exterior features and skeleton features. From among the skeleton parts the skull is an element influenced by selection and environmental adaptation.

Light and scanning electron microscopic study of the tongue in the cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo (Phalacrocoracidae, Aves).

The tongue of the cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo is a small, immobile structure with a length of 1.4 cm, situated in the middle part of the elongated lower bill. The uniquely shaped tongue resembles a mushroom, with a short base and an elongated dorsal part with sharpened anterior and posterior tips.

The distribution and structure of the lingual papillae on the tongue of the bank vole Clethrinomys glareolus.

The distribution and three-dimensional structure of the lingual papillae were studied by means of scanning electron microscopy. The elongated tongue in the bank vole is about 12 mm in length and about 3 mm in width. The characteristic features of the tongue are the median sulcus on the apex of the tongue, considerable narrowing in the body of the tongue and a well developed intermolar prominence.

Light and scanning electron microscopic study of the tongue in the white tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla, Accipitridae, Aves).

The tongue of the white tailed eagle is elongated with a sharp-ended apex. The length of the tongue is 6 cm. The characteristic morphological features observed on the body of the tongue include a distinct median groove dividing the mucosa into two symmetrical, convex lateral parts and a single crest of large conical papillae in the posterior part of the lingual body, extending over the surface of the flat root of the tongue.

scanning electron microscopy of lingual papillae in the common shrew, Sorex araneus, L.

The dorsal surface of the tongue of the adult common shrew (Sorex araneus L.) was examined by scanning electron microscopy. As in the other insectivores, three types of lingual papillae were observed: filiform, fungiform and vallate papillae.

The scanning electron microscopic study of lingual papillae in the silver fox (Vulpes vulpes fulva, Desmarest, 1820).

The tongues of adult silver foxes were studied using scanning electron microscopy. Five types of lingual papillae were found on the dorsal surface of the tongue. The most numerous papillae were filiform papillae covering the apex and body of the tongue.

Brain basal arteries in various species of Felidae.

Observations of the branching pattern of head and brain arteries in 10 species of the Felidae family were performed in casts prepared by filling the blood vessels of interest with appropriate kind of plastics. Arterial casts supported by bone structures were obtained as a result of biological maceration of animal heads, in which arteries were filled with vinyl superchloridae, whereas the preparations which were produced by means of Technovit resin were macerated chemically. As may be judged from the results obtained the brain blood supply in Felidae is characterized by obliteration of the extracranial segment of the internal carotid artery and by simultaneous formation of the rete mirabile of the maxillary artery.

The porcine ear skin as a model system for the human integument: influence of storage conditions on basic features of epidermis structure and function--a histological and histochemical study.

Based on careful tissue processing, detailed structural analysis, and histochemical as well as cytophotometrical evaluation of the epidermis, the study presents data with respect to changes of tissue integrity during two storing modes (room temperature and 4 degrees C) and various storage times of the porcine auricle. Structural degeneration was first noted in the barrier region of the epidermis from where such changes spread, independent of storage conditions, from small horizontal necrotic islands and continuously with increasing storage time. The histochemical results corroborated these observations, emphasizing, however, that the lower epidermal layers seemed intact for a longer time period than the upper layers.

Familial occurrence of pig intersexes (38,XX; SRY-negative) on a commercial fattening farm.

Occurrence of sex-reversal (38,XX; SRY-negative) cases in the progeny of a single boar was observed. Altogether 11 intersexes, originating from nine litters, given by nine sows were found. The breeder classified the sex-reversal individuals as females with enlarged clitoris.

TEM and SEM observations on the extracellular matrix of the developing murine centra.

TEM and SEM application demonstrated that the shift from chondrification to ossification in the developing murine centra from day 15 to day 18 of gestational age is marked by typical structural variations of the extracellular matrix (ECM). During day 15 GA, typical matrix vesicles with crystalline contents appeared, as followed by single and fusing pleomorphic aggregates of a more regular crystalline structure. During days 17/18 GA, these structures disappeared, and the ECM now exhibited a network of collagen fibrils that had been less conspicuous before.

Mucosal microvasculature of the gastric pars nonglandularis and margo plicatus in the horse: a scanning electron microscopic study on corrosion casts.

The microvascularisation of the equine non-glandular gastric mucosa was investigated using corrosion casts for scanning electron microscopy. Specimens from 11 healthy horses were examined. Corresponding to the high incidence of gastric lesions in the margo plicatus, special attention was paid to the differentiation between the pars nonglandularis and the margo plicatus as a distinct area of the aglandular mucosa.