The aim of this research was the morphological, topographical, and morphometrical analysis of the pterygopalatine ganglion in domestic ducks (Anas platyrhynchos f. domestica). The references indicate that this ganglion has been described in a few species of domestic birds, e.g. domestic hens (Gallus gallus f. domestica), Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnics v. Japonica), and domestic pigeons (Columba livia f. domestica). In domestic ducks the pterygopalatine ganglion has not been studied. The research was performed on 30 one-year-old domestic ducks of Pekinese race and both sexes (15 males and 15 females). The animals were examined three hours after slaughter. Two research methods were used: the Koelle-Friedenwald thiocholine method, adapted to macromorphological preparations by Gienc, and the routine histological method. 15 ducks were used for histochemical investigations. The other animals were studied histologically. The morphometrical analysis was performed using histological slides obtained from 15 ducks. The histochemical research revealed that the pterygopalatine ganglion (ganglion pterygopalatinum) in domestic ducks is topographically connected with the Harderian gland. This ganglion consists of numerous cell agglomerations, which form a plexo- -ganglionic structure located on the palatine branch of the facial nerve and on the medial surface of the Harderian gland. In ducks, among many small ganglionic cell agglomerations, it is possible to distinguish two big agglomerations, called the superior pterygopalatine ganglion and the inferior pterygopalatine ganglion according to their location and the terminology used. The superior ganglion is situated at the end of the nasal part of the palatine branch of the facial nerve in the place where it intersects with the ophthalmic nerve. The inferior ganglion is located on the medial surface of the Harderian gland beneath the superior ganglion. These ganglions are connected by a clearly visible branch, which consists, among others, of postganglionic fibres. The histological and morphometrical analysis of the superior pterygopalatine ganglion shows the presence of 40 to 60 neurocytes irregularly located in the cross-sections and occupying 12-14% of the cross-section surface. On the cross-sections of the inferior ganglion, 80-90 ganglionic cells were noted, occupying 16-24% of the cross-section surface. Many small agglomerations of neurocytes contain from 2 to 25 cells. These cells make up 24.5-31% of the cross-section surface. The diameter of the neurocytes of the pterygopalatine ganglion is 9.001-53.317 ìm, but smaller cells of 9.011-29.014 µm in diameter predominate. The presence of the two big agglomerations of ganglionic neurocytes, i.e. the superior and inferior pterygopalatine ganglions in domestic ducks, is probably the result of the lifestyle of this species.
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