Age related gross anatomical studies on the tongue of non-descript goats of Jammu region with special emphasis on lingual papillae

The tongue of the non-descript goats was spatula-shaped and divided into apex, body, and root. Dorsal surface of the tongue of adult goats showed patches of deep to light black pigmentation. Apex was notched in the centre. Longitudinal groove on the dorsal surface was more apparent in the young and senile groups. Caudo-dorsal portion of the body presented torus linguae, in front of which was transverse fossa linguae. Dorsal surface of the tongue was covered by filiform, fungiform, conical, lenticular, and circumvallate papillae. Filiform papillae were pointed, thread-like, and directed caudally and were the most abundant. Fungiform papillae were mushroom-shaped. Filiform and fungiform papillae were also present on the ventral surface of the tongue tip in ‘V’ configuration in all three age groups. Lenticular papillae were less developed in young goats. In adults, these were arranged in two parallel rows whereas in the senile group, the arrangement was irregular. They were found on the torus linguae. The largest lenticular papillae were placed along the midline of the prominence. Conical papillae were found lateral to lenticular papillae and orientated caudally. They were greater in the center and smaller in the caudal and lateral aspects. In comparison to young goats, the adult and senile groups had a denser distribution of lenticular and conical papillae. Circumvallate papillae were spherical and encircled by a deep moat which was surrounded by a slightly higher mucosal ring. They were arranged in two rows. Weight and volume of the tongue was significantly (P<0.05) greater in senile group followed by adults and least in the young age group. In all three age groups, the length of the body was the longest part whereas the root was the shortest. Width and thickness of the tongue was maximum at the level of torus linguae in all the age group. Width at apex and body showed a significant difference (P<0.05). Thickness at the apex and torus linguae showed significant difference (P<0.05). Distance between the lingual fossa and tip of the tongue varied significantly (P<0.05) with advancing age. Similarly, distance between lingual fossa and root of the tongue showed a significant difference (P<0.05) with advancing age. Total number of vallate papillae were the highest in adult group but the difference was non-significant (P>0.05). The length of median longitudinal groove showed a significant difference (P<0.05) among various age groups. It was longest in the senile followed by young and shortest in the adult group.