Histological Characteristics of Auditory Tube Diverticulum of Domestic Donkey (Equus asinus)

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate histological characteristics of auditory tube diverticulum in domestic donkeys (Equus asinus) using conventional histological and histochemical methods. Specimens were
collected from twenty regions (five different locations of each compartment of auditory diverticulum). The mucosa consisted of pseudostratified columnar epithelium with brush-like cilia and forms of some non-isometric folds. The few goblet cells, which were irregularly distributed over the whole luminal surface, reacted strongly with Alcian blue pH 2.5, whereas neutral mucosubstances were not observed. The lamina muscularis mucosa was absent. The lamina propria-submucosa contained all connective tissue fibers, tubulo-acinar glands, parasympathetic ganglia, nerve bundles, numerous diffuse or nodular lymphatic tissues, blood vessels, adipose tissue and skeletal muscles. There were some differences in type of epithelium and submucosal connective tissue, frequency of goblet cell and
seromucosal gland between sexes and among the various regions.