Background: There are significant differences in the layers of the esophagus among various animal species. These differences are largely unknown in exotic animals. In this histological and histometrical study the esophagus of Hemiechinus auritus was concerned.
Materials and Methods: After the euthanised steps the esophagus of animal was isolated and the preparation of tissue sections completed. Sections stained with Hematoxylin Eosin, Periodic Acid Schiff, Alcian blue and combination of Alcian blue and PAS methods.
Results: The epithelium of esophagus in Hemiechinus auritus is keratinized stratified squamous. The thickness of the esophagus epithelium decreases from the beginning towards the cardia. In the first third of the esophagus the border of the lamina propria and the submucosa is not distinctive but in the last two third this thin layer is cleared. The muscularis mucosa is not presence in the first third and is discontinuous and thin in the middle third. In last third the muscularis mucosa is continuous. The submucosal layer is composed of a loose connective tissue and there are collagen and elastic fibers, nerve, lymph and blood vessels. There are submucosal glands at the beginning of the esophagus that secret mucus and their density decreases towards the end. The muscular layer of the esophagus is thicker than other layers. All of these layers are made up of striated muscle.
Conclusion: The histological structure of the esophagus in different animals, especially in mammals, has significant differences, most of which are related to their diet. The hedgehog esophagus also has similarities with herbivores and carnivores, due to its omnivorous diet.