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[[Image:Alimentary Canine.jpg|thumb|right|300px|The Alimentary Tract (Canine) - Copyright Prof. Pat Mccarthy]]

[[Image:Alimentary Canine.jpg|thumb|right|300px|The Alimentary Tract (Canine) - Copyright Prof. Pat Mccarthy]]

==Introduction==

==Introduction==

The anatomy of the alimentary system begins rostrally with the [[Oral Cavity Overview - Anatomy & Physiology|oral cavity]], which is the first section of the alimentary tract that recieves food. It provides the digestive functions of prehension, [[Mastication|mastication]] and insalivation and also plays a role in the respiratory system through oral breathing when the nasopharynx is impaired. The oral cavity or mouth, includes accessory structures - [[Oral Cavity - Salivary Glands - Anatomy & Physiology|the salivary glands]], projecting structures - [[Oral Cavity - Teeth & Gingiva - Anatomy & Physiology|the teeth]] and [[Oral Cavity - Tongue - Anatomy & Physiology|tongue]], and the boundaries enclosing the oral cavity; the [[Lips - Anatomy & Physiology|lips]], [[Cheeks - Anatomy & Physiology|cheeks]], [[Soft Palate - Anatomy & Physiology|soft]] and [[Hard Palate - Anatomy & Physiology|hard palates]], and the [[Oral Cavity - Oropharynx - Anatomy & Physiology|oropharynx]]. In anatomical terms, the oropharynx is common to both the alimentary and the respiratory system, and the hard and soft palate forms the boundary between the oral and nasal cavities in many species.

The anatomy of the alimentary system begins rostrally with the [[Oral Cavity Overview - Anatomy & Physiology|oral cavity]], which is the first section of the alimentary tract that recieves food. It provides the digestive functions of prehension, [[Mastication|mastication]] and insalivation and also plays a role in the respiratory system through oral breathing when the nasopharynx is impaired. The oral cavity or mouth, includes accessory structures - [[Oral Cavity - Salivary Glands - Anatomy & Physiology|the salivary glands]], projecting structures - [[Oral Cavity - Teeth & Gingiva - Anatomy & Physiology|the teeth]] and [[Oral Cavity - Tongue - Anatomy & Physiology|tongue]], and the boundaries enclosing the oral cavity; the [[Lips - Anatomy & Physiology|lips]], [[Cheeks|cheeks]], [[Soft Palate|soft]] and [[Hard Palate|hard palates]], and the [[Oral Cavity - Oropharynx - Anatomy & Physiology|oropharynx]]. In anatomical terms, the oropharynx is common to both the alimentary and the respiratory system, and the hard and soft palate forms the boundary between the oral and nasal cavities in many species.

Food passes from the oral cavity into the [[oesophagus - Anatomy & Physiology|oesophagus]] and from here to the stomach. In evolutionary terms, various adaptations to the anatomy of the stomach reflect the digestive needs of the species based on their natural diet. The [[Stomach and Abomasum - Anatomy & Physiology|ruminant stomach]] for example, is composed of 4 separate compartments; the rumen, the reticulum, the omasum and the abomasum. The first three compartments are adapted to digest complex carbohydrates with the aid of microorganisms which produce [[Volatile Fatty Acids - Anatomy & Physioogy|volatile fatty acids]] - the major energy source of ruminants. The last compartment, the abomasum resembles the simple [[Forestomach - Anatomy & Physiology|monogastric stomach]] of a carnivore in structure and function.  As a further adaptation, the [[Oesophageal groove|oesophageal groove]] is present in newborn ruminants; it is a channel which directs milk from the oesophagus into the rumen, omasum and then abomasum, bypassing the reticulum.  

Food passes from the oral cavity into the [[oesophagus - Anatomy & Physiology|oesophagus]] and from here to the stomach. In evolutionary terms, various adaptations to the anatomy of the stomach reflect the digestive needs of the species based on their natural diet. The [[Stomach and Abomasum - Anatomy & Physiology|ruminant stomach]] for example, is composed of 4 separate compartments; the rumen, the reticulum, the omasum and the abomasum. The first three compartments are adapted to digest complex carbohydrates with the aid of microorganisms which produce [[Volatile Fatty Acids - Anatomy & Physioogy|volatile fatty acids]] - the major energy source of ruminants. The last compartment, the abomasum resembles the simple [[Forestomach - Anatomy & Physiology|monogastric stomach]] of a carnivore in structure and function.  As a further adaptation, the [[Oesophageal groove|oesophageal groove]] is present in newborn ruminants; it is a channel which directs milk from the oesophagus into the rumen, omasum and then abomasum, bypassing the reticulum.