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Show 472 DR. J. M U R I E O N T H E G U L A R P O U C H O F OTIS. [June 25, 1867, when I had the opportunity of ascertaining the presence of a distinct but small-sized gular pouch. . It may not be inappropriate to describe this in situ, referring at the same time to the accompanying drawing (fig. 1), as illustrating the appearance and relative position of the parts on their removal from the body. . ,, , On examining the mouth when distended, an opening could be seen beneath the tongue, which in size and general relative appearance corresponded very well with the descriptions of the several authors who have found such an entrance into a pouch. It agreed with Mr. Flower's precise anatomical verbal delineation (loc. cit. p. 74b). Without any apparent contraction, the aperture above mentioned led into a thin-walled empty sac, which differed from the hitherto recorded cases of gular pouch in Otis tarda in being only three inches in length and about an inch in transverse diameter. In the recent undisturbed state the sac or bag was of nearly equal width above and below, exhibiting no contraction and additional terminal sacculus, as figured and described by Dr. Cullen (op. cit. p. 144). Superficially (i. e. inferiorly) its walls were in close contact with the delicate skin of the throat; and deeply (i. e. superiorly) the sac lay on the trachea (see fig. 1, infra). Lateral view showing the position of the gular pouch and surrounding parts in Otis kori, the skin and subjacent tissue being thrown back so as to cover it. G.p. G.p.* Gular pouch included within the dotted line; a, the aperture beneath. To, the tongue, which is raised above/, floor of mouth. E.g. Rima glottidis, or laryngeal fissure. Tr. Trachea. Oe. (Esophagus. P. m. The superficial muscular fibres of the platysma myoides, or the so-called sphincter of the gular pouch. M. G. h. The mylo- and genio-hyoidei muscles, cut through towards their mandibular origin. The structural elements of this small gular pouch were composed of material very similar to what Mr. Flower mentions, namely, membranous tissue and a minute quantity of elastic fibres interwoven with the areolar tissue. Its lining membrane was apparently a continuation of the mucous coat of the mouth and general faucial aper- |
