Histology of Watersnake (Enhydris Enhydris) Digestive System

Abstract

This research aimed to study the histology of the digestive system of the watersnake (Enhydris enhydris). The digestive system taken was the esophagus, stomach, frontal small intestine and the back of the large intestine from three watersnakes. The samples were then made into histological preparations with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and observed exploratively. The results showed that the digestive system of the watersnake was composed of layers of tissue, namely the mucosa, tunica submucosa, tunica muscularis, and serous tunica. Mucosal mucosa consisted of the lamina epithelium, lamina propria, and mucous lamina muscularis. The submucosal tunica consisted of connective tissue with blood vessels, lymph, and nerves. The muscular tunica was composed of circular muscles and elongated muscles. The serous tunica consisted of a thin layer of connective tissue that was covered by a thin layer of the mesothelium (mesothelium). The histological structure of the snake digestive system is not much different from the reptile digestive system. However, in the small intestine of the snake, Brunner, and liberkhun glands are not found. Lamina epithelial in the small intestine of the snake is composed of the layered cylindrical epithelium.

Gastroesophageal tube of the Iguana iguana (Iguanidae): histological description, histochemical and immunohistochemical analysis of 5-HT and SS cells

“…According to George and Castro (1998) and Elliott (2007), the esophageal mucosa of reptiles, in general, is lined by epithelium with one or two layers of columnar cells. In Squamata's, of different genus as I. iguana, Hemidactylus mabouia (Rodrigues-Sartori et al, 2011) and E. kingii (Arena et al, 1990), the esophageal epithelium is usually ciliated and pseudostratified with goblet cells, although a simple columnar epithelium has been observed in other genus such as snake Enhydris enhydris (Masyitha et al, 2020), in the chameleon Chamaeleon africanus (Hamdi et al, 2014) and in the lizards Laudakia stellio (Koca and Gürcü, 2011) and Varanus niloticus (Ahmed et al, 2009). Thus, there is no phylogenetic relationship that explains the change in the type of esophageal epithelium between different species, which may be better associated with variations in eating habits.…”

Maternal transmission of bacterial microbiota during embryonic development in a viviparous lizard

“…The mucosa of the cloaca and mouth of reptiles share some similarities, such as being moist, slimy layers that line the inner surfaces of their respective structures. They both contain glandular cells that produce mucus and other substances to maintain moisture and protect the mucosal surface ( 57 – 59 ). However, their structure and function differ significantly, with the mucosa of the mouth being related to feeding, chewing, and digestion, while the mucosa of the cloaca is related to the elimination of waste and reproduction.…”