Histological Structure of the Cerebellum of the Iraqi Pin-tailed Sandgrouse Bird Pterocoles alcahta (Linnaeus, 1766)

A histological study was performed on the cerebellum of the Iraqi pin-tailed sandgrouse bird (Pterocoles alchata (Linaeus, 1766). An abundant sandgrouse species are found in Iraq. The organism resides in arid plains and partially in rocky deserts near areas where grains are grown. The objective of this study was to thoroughly analyze the histological and morphological features of the Cerebellum in adult Pterocles alchata birds. To advance our understanding of the Cerebellum in this specific species, eight healthy bird specimens were obtained from the local market in Baghdad, Iraq. The specimens weighed approximately 223-174g and were dissected following anesthesia with chloroform. The feathers and skull bones were removed to access the brain. The cerebellum was meticulously isolated and examined to assess its shape and weight. Subsequently, the samples were immersed in a 10% formalin solution for 72 hours as part of the fixation process. The specimens were then subjected to using stains such as Hematoxylin and Eosin( H&E), Methylene blue, and Mallory. The study revealed that the cerebellum, positioned posterior to the cerebrum, comprises folded structures known as cerebellar folia. Specifically, nine folia were identified (I-IX). The folia observed in this study had a histological structure composed of two distinct layers: the cerebellar cortex and the medulla region, corresponding to the white matter. The cerebellar cortex is divided into three layers, arranged from the outermost to the innermost layer: the molecular layer, the Purkinje cells layer, and the granular cells layer.