The esophagus of 13 mature ostriches was studied using the histological technique and the scanning electron microscopy to clarify the histological structure. The esophagus in cross section appeared as narrow lumen with irregular folds appeared as finger like projections.
Numerous tubular, simple and branched and few tubuloalveolar glands were located in the contour of the lamina propria and empties their secretion into the esophagus lumen. It was strong alcianophilic in reaction. It arranged as row of tubular glands perpendicular to the epithelium
Numerous lymphocytes were distributed in the lamina propria especially around the mucous glands. Some of them arranged as lymph nodules.
The submucosa was less defined than that of the lamina propria; it consists of fibrous CT with blood vessels and nerve plexuses.
The musclosa composed of thick inner circular smooth muscle fibers and irregular thin bands of outer longitudinal smooth muscle fibers. Numerous loose CT fibers were located between the muscle fibers. The musclosa appeared thick opaque in color in comparison to the neighboring structure. The adventitia was consists of loose CT with blood vessels.
Key words. Esophagus-Ostrich-SEM-Histology