Gross Anatomical, Histological and Histochemical Studies of the Esophagus of the African Giant Rat (AGR) (Cricetomys gambianus-Waterhouse, 1840)

Abstract

Forty African Giant Rats (AGRs) were used for the present studies. The mean weight and length of the esophagus were 1.39 g (± 0.08) and 11.78 cm (± 0.53) respectively. These values accounted for 0.13 % and 5.5 % of the weight and length of the gastrointestinal tract, respectively. Grossly the esophagus was observed to lie dorsal to the trachea throughout its length. The epithelial lining of the esophagus was observed to be made up of non-keratinized stratified squamous cells. The lamina muscularis and mucous glands were absent. Histochemical studies revealed that the esophagus was Alcian Blue (AB), Periodic Acid Schiff (PAS) and Alcian Blue-Periodic Acid Schiff (AB- PAS) negative.