Morphometrical, radiological and histochemical study of the internal olfactory bones in camels (Camelus dromedarius)

The current research aimed to expand on the morphometry, radiology and histochemistry of the internal olfactory bones in 12 camels' skulls in both genders collected from local slaughterhouses in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Iraq. The camel skull was elongated and had a pyramid shape with a base and apex. The bones of the nose were comparatively short, with a short middle and a long lateral process, and serrated rostro-medially. The posterior opening of the nasal cavity was opened caudally and separated into 2 partitions by vomer bone which had a length between 14.33±0.33-18.66±0.33cm. The cavum nasi (CN) comprised 3 turbinates: the dorsal one trimming with a skinny process, totaling 12.76±0.43-13.90±0.20 cm, the ventral was well established, with a total length between 13.6±0.20-17.63±0.08 cm, the middle was ventro-caudal and located rostrally to the ethmoidal turbinate. The longitudinal and transverse axes of ethmoidal bone were between 3.46±0.14-4.7±0.40 cm and 3.66±0.24-3.73±0.23 cm respectively. CN had also four nasal meatuses or passages: dorsal, middle ventral, and a common meatus. The ventral portion that was shaped by a semi-channel formed a sulcus vomeris. Histological records specify that rostral, caudal, and ethmoidal turbinates chiefly have a sensory purpose, whereas the middle turbinate contributes to mucosal defense. The morphometrical, radiological, and histochemical information of the nasal region presented in this research will enhance the understanding of nasal cavity patterns that may significantly influence osteoarcheology and also provide information for comparative research that can be utilized for application in clinical veterinary practices and even in zooarchaeology.