Beak, Oropharyngeal and Nasal cavities of Broad Breasted White Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo): Gross anatomical and Morphometrical Study

The anatomical description of the beak, oropharyngeal and nasal cavities of broad-breasted white turkey (BBWT) is unavailable in comparison with other birds. This study was conducted on five adult healthy birds (16.63 ± 5.54 Kg bwt). Beak was boat-shaped with pointed apex and was hard and rigid horny structure.  The oral roof (palate) was formed of one median, two rostral, and two caudal palatine ridges. Shallow wide groove was observed between the rostral palatine ridges and lateral edges of the upper beak. The choanal slit was occupied 47.5% of the palate. There were two types of mechanical papillae distributed around the choanal slit. This slit was separated from the infundibular slit by a shallow groove. The tongue was triangular-shaped with pointed apex accompanied by V-shaped row of caudally directed lingual papillae between the body and the root. The lingual root was triangular-shaped, marked by shallow crescentic-shaped groove. The laryngeal mound was elongated pyramidal-shaped, contained glottis continued caudally by shallow longitudinal groove termed laryngeal sulcus. The nasal cavity was divided by a cartilaginous nasal septum into two symmetrical haves and opened externally by an elliptical-shaped nostril. The nostril was covered with a cartilaginous operculum which appeared as dome-shaped. Three nasal conchae were noticed within the nasal cavity: rostral, middle, and caudal nasal conchae. The middle nasal concha was the largest one, scrolled into 11/2 turns rostrally and scrolled 2 turns caudally. In conclusion, this study provides sufficient data on the anatomic and morphometric investigations of the nasal and oropharyngeal cavities of broad breast white turkey which may beneficial for manipulation of head during treatment of diseases.