Morphological and Histological Study of Tongue in Local Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

In southern Iraq, the local buffalo holds significant importance as a domestic animal. This study aimed to contribute to the documentation and preservation of buffalo by examining the macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of the tongue and lingual papillae in adult buffalo aged 1-1.5 years. Six tongue specimens from each buffalo were analyzed to investigate both anatomical and histological features, including the comparison of statistical data between the tongues. The study delineated various lingual papillae on the tongue, revealing the presence of five identifiable types on the tongue surface. Among these, three were categorized as mechanical papillae (filiform, conical, and lenticular), while two were identified as gustatory papillae (vallate and fungiform). Although certain morphological features of the buffalo tongue resembled those of other ruminants, the lingual prominence in buffalo was notably higher and more developed. Notably, there were more mechanical papillae, covered by a thicker, keratinized epithelium. The research concluded that the buffalo's tongue exhibited strength, highlighting its crucial role in food prehension. The buffalo's tongue, characterized by a gray or blackish color, a rounded margin without a median groove, and a sharp, rounded anterior edge, was found to possess distinctive properties contributing to its efficient grasping of food. Overall, the study identified key attributes of the buffalo tongue, shedding light on its potency and its role in facilitating the buffalo's feeding behavior.