Morphology of the proventriculus of African ostrich

The objective of this study was to investigate the morphological features of the proventriculus of African ostrich (Struthiocamelus). The location, appearance, and histological characteristics of the proventriculus were observed on postnatal day 90. The entire proventriculus had the appearance of a distensible sac; and exhibited a large number of glands. Under light microscope, the proventriculus wall was composed of mucosa, submucosa, muscular layer and adventitia. The mucosa was further divided into the lamina epithelialis, lamina propria, and muscularis mucosae. The submucosa was relatively thick and contained compound tubular glands having oxynticopeptic cells, mucous cells, and endocrine cells. These features of the proventriculus are possibly related to the dietary habits of the African ostrich, and they imply that this specie has a strong ability to digest and absorb food.