Morfología de la cavidad orofaríngea y esófago del bagre africano adulto (<i>Clarias gariepinus</i> Burchell, 1822)

The morphology of the adult farmed African catfish -Clarias gariepinus a prominent omnivorous cultivable species in Nigeria was investigated. It revealed cornified horny plates lining the buccal surfaces of the lips. The tongue was not free moving, and the oesophagus was a narrow tube connecting the oropharyngeal cavity to the stomach with no valve or constriction separating it from the later. Histologically, the cavity wall was lined by stratified squamous epithelium containing eosinophilic club cells, mucous cells and taste buds. The laminar propria contained dense collagen fibres. No taste bud was seen on the tongue suggesting it non involvement in food selection through gustation unlike the cavity wall which contained taste buds. The oesophagus was lined by stratified mucous epithelium containing club cells. Histochemistry revealed the presence of neutral, acid and combination of the two. The large extent of oesophageal mucification indicates need for mucin lubrication of food since teleost is known to lack salivary glands and also an adaptation to ingestion of varied feed.La morfología bagre africano del adulto cultivado -Clarias gariepinus- una especie omnívoras cultivables prominente en Nigeria fue investigada. Reveló placas córneas que cubren las superficies vestibulares de los labios. La lengua no tiene movimiento libre y el esófago es un tubo estrecho que conecta la cavidad orofaríngea al estómago sin válvula o constricción que lo separe. Histológicamente, la pared de la cavidad estaba revestida por epitelio escamoso estratificado que contiene células eosinófilas, células mucosas y papilas gustativas. La laminar propia contenía fibras de colágeno denso. No fie vista ninguna papila gustativa en la lengua lo que sugiere la no participación la selección de los alimentos a través gustación a diferencia de la pared de la cavidad que contiene papilas gustativas. El esófago estaba revestido por epitelio estratificado que contiene células mucosas. La histoquímica reveló la presencia de ácido a neutro, y la combinación de los dos. La gran extensión de mucificación esofágica indica la necesidad de lubricación de mucina de los alimentos se sabe que los teleósteos carecen de glándulas salivales y también una adaptación a la ingestión de alimentos variados.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Morfología de la cavidad orofaríngea y esófago del bagre africano adulto (<i>Clarias gariepinus</i> Burchell, 1822)

The morphology of the adult farmed African catfish -Clarias gariepinus a prominent omnivorous cultivable species in Nigeria was investigated. It revealed cornified horny plates lining the buccal surfaces of the lips. The tongue was not free moving, and the oesophagus was a narrow tube connecting the oropharyngeal cavity to the stomach with no valve or constriction separating it from the later. Histologically, the cavity wall was lined by stratified squamous epithelium containing eosinophilic club cells, mucous cells and taste buds. The laminar propria contained dense collagen fibres. No taste bud was seen on the tongue suggesting it non involvement in food selection through gustation unlike the cavity wall which contained taste buds. The oesophagus was lined by stratified mucous epithelium containing club cells. Histochemistry revealed the presence of neutral, acid and combination of the two. The large extent of oesophageal mucification indicates need for mucin lubrication of food since teleost is known to lack salivary glands and also an adaptation to ingestion of varied feed.La morfología bagre africano del adulto cultivado -Clarias gariepinus- una especie omnívoras cultivables prominente en Nigeria fue investigada. Reveló placas córneas que cubren las superficies vestibulares de los labios. La lengua no tiene movimiento libre y el esófago es un tubo estrecho que conecta la cavidad orofaríngea al estómago sin válvula o constricción que lo separe. Histológicamente, la pared de la cavidad estaba revestida por epitelio escamoso estratificado que contiene células eosinófilas, células mucosas y papilas gustativas. La laminar propia contenía fibras de colágeno denso. No fie vista ninguna papila gustativa en la lengua lo que sugiere la no participación la selección de los alimentos a través gustación a diferencia de la pared de la cavidad que contiene papilas gustativas. El esófago estaba revestido por epitelio estratificado que contiene células mucosas. La histoquímica reveló la presencia de ácido a neutro, y la combinación de los dos. La gran extensión de mucificación esofágica indica la necesidad de lubricación de mucina de los alimentos se sabe que los teleósteos carecen de glándulas salivales y también una adaptación a la ingestión de alimentos variados.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Morfología de la cavidad orofaríngea y esófago del bagre africano adulto (<i>Clarias gariepinus</i> Burchell, 1822)

The morphology of the adult farmed African catfish -Clarias gariepinus a prominent omnivorous cultivable species in Nigeria was investigated. It revealed cornified horny plates lining the buccal surfaces of the lips. The tongue was not free moving, and the oesophagus was a narrow tube connecting the oropharyngeal cavity to the stomach with no valve or constriction separating it from the later. Histologically, the cavity wall was lined by stratified squamous epithelium containing eosinophilic club cells, mucous cells and taste buds. The laminar propria contained dense collagen fibres. No taste bud was seen on the tongue suggesting it non involvement in food selection through gustation unlike the cavity wall which contained taste buds. The oesophagus was lined by stratified mucous epithelium containing club cells. Histochemistry revealed the presence of neutral, acid and combination of the two. The large extent of oesophageal mucification indicates need for mucin lubrication of food since teleost is known to lack salivary glands and also an adaptation to ingestion of varied feed.La morfología bagre africano del adulto cultivado -Clarias gariepinus- una especie omnívoras cultivables prominente en Nigeria fue investigada. Reveló placas córneas que cubren las superficies vestibulares de los labios. La lengua no tiene movimiento libre y el esófago es un tubo estrecho que conecta la cavidad orofaríngea al estómago sin válvula o constricción que lo separe. Histológicamente, la pared de la cavidad estaba revestida por epitelio escamoso estratificado que contiene células eosinófilas, células mucosas y papilas gustativas. La laminar propia contenía fibras de colágeno denso. No fie vista ninguna papila gustativa en la lengua lo que sugiere la no participación la selección de los alimentos a través gustación a diferencia de la pared de la cavidad que contiene papilas gustativas. El esófago estaba revestido por epitelio estratificado que contiene células mucosas. La histoquímica reveló la presencia de ácido a neutro, y la combinación de los dos. La gran extensión de mucificación esofágica indica la necesidad de lubricación de mucina de los alimentos se sabe que los teleósteos carecen de glándulas salivales y también una adaptación a la ingestión de alimentos variados.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Sonographic determination of spleen to left kidney ratio among Igbo school age children of south east Nigeria.

Background: Clinical determination of mild splenomegaly is notoriously inaccurate. Objectives:To determine sonographically the spleen to left kidney ratio according to age and somatometric parameters among school age children in a tropical environment. Methods: A cross sectional study and convenience sampling were done on 947 apparently healthy subjects (496 boys and 451 girls) aged 6 - 17 years at the University of Nigeria Medical Centre, Nsukka. The sonographic examination was per-formed on Shenzhen DP-1100 machine with 3.5 and 5 MHz convex transducers. Spleen and left kidney lengths were ob-tained using appropriate techniques. The weight and height of the subjects were obtained with the participants wearing light weight street clothes without shoes. Results:Measurement of spleen and left kidney lengths were reliable within and between sonographers. The spleen and left kidney lengths were not statistically different in boys and girls (p > 0.05). The spleen to left kidney ratio according to age and somatometric parameters is constant at about 1.13 with 1.3 as the upper limit of normal in the studied population. Conclusion: Sonography can be used to detect mild splenomegaly if the spleen to left kidney ratio is greater than 1.3 in the absence of renal disease among school age children

Sonographic biometry of spleen among school age children in Nsukka, Southeast, Nigeria

Background: Normative value of spleen size among school age children is important for objective assessment of the spleen. Objective: This study was aimed at determining sonographically the normal limits of the spleen size according to age, sex,and somatometric parameters among school age children. Methods: A cross sectional study was done on 947 apparently healthy subjects (496 boys and 451 girls) aged 6 - 17 years. The subjects were recruited from some primary and secondary schools within Nsukka metropolis and also from out patients in the study centre. A pilot study was done to determine the intra- and inter rater reliability of sonographic measurements of the spleen. The sonographic examination was performed on Shenzhen DP-1100 machine with 3.5 and 5 MHz convex transducers. Spleen sizes were obtained with the subject in a right lateral decubitus position. Results: Measurement of spleen length was reliable while measurement of spleen width was less reliable within and between sonographers. Dimensions of the spleen were not statistically different in boys and girls (p > 0.05). Height correlated best with spleen dimensions. Conclusion: Normogram of the spleen size with respect to height is important in the determination of some pathology associated with changes in its size