Structure and sensory apparatus of oral remnants of the nasopalatine canals in the fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus L.)

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Abstract
Light microscopy of serially sectioned nasopalatine duct remnants in ventral rostral integument of four adult (2 ♂, 2 ♀) fin whales reveals: (1) a common structure in all, (2) blindly ending nasopalatine pits 4 to 9 mm deep, (3) solid epithelial duct remnants 12 to 15 mm long, (4) lack of chemoreceptor endings, and (5) an abundance of presumed mechanoreceptors, mostly of the Pacinian category on the adoral sides, but also including some thinly encapsulated and perivascular ones that extend into the abundant connective tissue papillae of the duct remnants. Comparative and evolutionary relations of these structures are discussed.

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