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.