Views: 93 Downloads: 20

Abstract

The avian esophagus is a narrow and flexible tube that runs from the oropharynx to the stomach. The anatomical division it consists of three sections: the anterior thoracic, middle crop, and posterior thoracic areas. The objective of this study is to examine the structure, size, and composition of the esophagus in the thoracic region of three bird species (kestrel, hoopoe, rock pigeon) with diverse dietary habits. This will involve analyzing the morphology, measurements, histology, and scanning of the esophagus. In the present investigation, we examined samples from three different species. The birds were slaughtered, and their esophagi were dissected. The thoracic section of the esophagus was examined macroscopically using both light and scanning electron microscopy. The length of the thoracic section of the esophagus in rock pigeons is greater than that of kestrels and hoopoes. Additionally, the width of the esophagus in kestrels is narrower than that of hoopoes and rock pigeons. The lamina propria of the kestrel and hoopoe has numerous mucous glands, which are spherical, branched tubular glands that are enveloped by a fibrous capsule. The glands are connected to the esophagus lumen through ducts that traverse the lining epithelium. However, the thoracic section of the esophagus in rock pigeons lacks glands in its lamina propria. The results of our studies have shown that the type of food ingested strongly affects the anatomical and histological structure of the esophagus‎.