A Histo-anatomical Study of the Trachea of Central Asian Tortoise (Testudo horsfieldii) in Iran

Abstract

Histology of the tracheal epithelium has been studied in various species including reptiles like the common lizard (Lacerta agilis). However, meagre information is available on this aspect in case of Asian tortoise (Testudo horsefieldii). A study was therefore conducted on (n=10) central Asian tortoise (five male and five female) to describe the microscopic structure of the tracheal wall. The observations revealed that trachea constituted mainly of complete cartilage rings lined by a respiratory epithelium (ciliated, basal and mucous cells) with variable morphology. The organ was short and divided into paired bronchi which remained separated along the sides of the neck.