Gross Anatomical and Histometric Studies on the Stomach Glandular Sacs of the Dromedary Camel (Camelus dromedarius)

Abstract

Camel glandular sac areas were previously considered as water stores. Recently, these sacs were found to be glandular areas which are probably involved in absorption, fermentation and secretion functions. This investigation aimed to study the gross anatomical and histometry of the glandular sacs of camel stomach. It was conducted on fifteen adult camels and ten foetuses. The camel stomach composed of four compartments; compartment 1, compartment 2, compartment 3, and compartment 4. Compartment 1 which was the largest extended from the diaphragm to the caudal border of the 12th thoracic rib in foetuses and presented glandular cranioventral and caudodorsal sacs and non-glandular areas. The cranioventral sac was oval in shape with more or less smooth external surface. The caudodorsal sac was irregular and relatively larger and more sacculated. Each sac contained glandular pits which were formed by four walls; the walls originated from two longitudinal and two transverse pillars which surrounded the pit floor. The pit walls and floor consisted of four tunics; mucosa, submucosa, muscularis and serosa. The pit wall mucosa was non-glandular and the floor mucosa was glandular with serous glands. No significant histometric differences were observed between the cranioventral and caudodorsal sacs in the glandular size (glandular length and diameter) and thickness of wall tunics (tunica mucosa, submucosa, muscularis and serosa).