This investigation aimed to determine the morphological characteristics of the palate of
bronze black turkey by gross anatomy, light and scanning electron microscopy. The oral
roof (palate) constitutes 87.73% of the oropharyngeal roof length, comprising two parts;
rostral and caudal. The rostral part is characterized by the presence of median palatine ridge,
rostral and caudal lateral palatine ridges, narrow part of the choanal slit and three rows of
palatine papillae. The median palatine ridge shows rostral continued and caudal interrupted
parts. This ridge as shown by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) bears 4-5 transverse furrows
at the level of the beginning of the caudal lateral palatine ridges. Numerous Periodic
Acid-Schiff (PAS)-positive compound tubular mucous maxillary and palatine salivary glands
are distributed in the mucosa of the palate. From all above mentioned, it's clear that the
palate in turkey reveals some different anatomical features in compared with that of the
other birds.