Anatomical and Morphometrical Study of the Alimentary Canal of the Lizard Scincus scincus and the snake Natrix tessellata

作者：El Bakry Ahlam M^*; Abdeen Ahmed M; Abo Eleneen Rasha E

来源：Life Science Journal-Acta Zhengzhou University Overseas Edition, 2012, 9(4): 1010-1022.

• Anatomy
• Histology
• Morphometry
• Alimentary canal
• Reptiles

The gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is one of the most interesting systems of reptiles. The present study aimed to study the anatomical, histological and morphometrical features of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of the lizard Scincus scincus and the snake Natrix tessellata. The wall of the different regions of the alimentary tract is built up of four layers, from outside inwards: serosa, muscularis, submucosa and mucosa. The oesophageal mucosa is formed of simple columnar epithelium in Scincus scincus, while in Natrix tessellata it consists of simple columnar ciliated epithelium with goblet cells. In the studied species, the mucosa of the stomach displayed numerous gastric glands which opened with gastric pits while, the mucosa of the intestine is consisted of simple columnar epithelium containing goblet cells. The intestinal glands are completely absent in the two species. There are great differences between the oesophagus, stomach and intestine histochemically in both species. Generally, the length of the whole gastrointestinal organs is sex-dependent. No significant difference was found in between the organ lengths in both sexes of the studied species. In conclusion, variation in the structure of the GIT appears to be related to the difference in their habitats or their vital activities. [Ahlam M. El-Bakry, Ahmed M. Abdeen and Rasha E. Abo- Eleneen. Anatomical and Morphometrical Study of the Alimentary Canal of the Lizard Scincus scincus and the snake Natrix tessellate. Life Sci J 2012; 9(4):1010-1022] (ISSN:1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite.com. 155

• 出版日期2012