HISTOLOGICAL STRUCTURE OF STOMACH IN IRAQI BLACK PARTRIDGE, FRANCOLINUS FRANCOLINUS.

This study aims to study the histological composition of the proventrrculus and the gizzard in the Iraqi black partridge Francolinus francolinus using light microscope. This study procedure required the collection of 20 samples of the Iraqi black partridge from Al-Najaf desert. The samples were dissected and processed using the histological study technique. The proventrrculus wall and the gizzard consist of four main tunicae, mucosa, submucosa, muscularis and serosa, as well as the presence of the koilin layer, which covers tunica mucosa of the gizzard. The lining epithelium of the proventrrculus covers with a simple columnar epithelial tissue and lamina propria, which compose of a loose connective tissue. While tunica submucosa forms the most part of the proventriculus wall and consists mainly of the deep gastric glands. Tunica muscularis consists of three layers of smooth muscle fibers and finally a tunica serosa consists of a loose connective tissue. In the gizzard the lining epithelium covers with low columnar to cuboidal cells, while the lamina propria filled with the gizzard glands and missing the muscularis mucosae. The submucosa consists of a dense connective tissue, whereas the tunica muscularis form the most part of gizzard wall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]