A morphological and stereological investigation on the tongue of the merlin

The study aimed to reveal the similarities and differences of tongue merlin with other bird species. Merlin is smallest Falconidae family lives in America, northern regions Europe Asia, Middle East, Central Asia. Since these species don’t have teeth, lips, cheeks, fulfills significant functions related nutrition, it differs morphologically as a result eating habits. In this study, tongues obtained from five adult (falco columbarius) were examined by morphological stereological methods. It was determined that thin, long, rectangular, front part oval, W-shaped papilla linguales caudales found between body root tongue. average length 26.32 ± 1.38 mm, width 7.26 0.32 thickness 1.58 0.14 mm. histology showed dorsal ventral surfaces are covered keratinized multilayered squamous epithelium; there taste buds epithelial layer, number higher especially on tongue; presence paraglossum, which hyaline cartilage structure. volume an 374.2 14.08 mm3.