LIGHT AND SCANNING ELECTRON-MICROSCOPIC STUDY OF THE PALATINE MUCOSA OF 9-BANDED ARMADILLO (DASYPUS-NOVEMCINCTUS)

The three-dimensional structure of the lamina propria of the hard and soft palatine mucosa of the nine-banded armadillo was observed by scan ning electron microscopy. Sodium hydroxide cell maceration method was applied to demonstrate the architecture of the connective tissue papil lae. The palatine mucosa of the armadillo had a triangular shape and m easured appr. 6.5 cm length. The hard palate showed 9 transverse palat ine plicae while the soft palate was smooth. In the 10% NaOH treated s pecimens, the lamina propria of the hard palatine mucosa showed numero us connective tissue papillae with a general finger-like shape. These structures were composed by a meshwork of collagen fibers arranged in several directions. On the other hand, the connective tissue papillae of the soft palate mucosa were scattered and small. Numerous openings of glandular ducts with circular or elliptical shape were located in t he interplicae area and in the soft palate.