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The gizzard is also referred to as the muscular stomach. It is connected by the isthmus to the [[The Proventriculus - Anatomy & Physiology|proventriculus]] and to the duodenum.
The gizzard is also referred to as the muscular stomach. It is connected by the isthmus to the [[The Proventriculus - Anatomy & Physiology|proventriculus]] and to the duodenum.
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==Structure and Function==
==Structure and Function==
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*Mechanical reduction of tougher material through powerful muscular development
*Mechanical reduction of tougher material through powerful muscular development
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*Contacts the liver
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*Cranial to the liver and spleen (contacts the liver)
*Contacts the sternum and lower left abdominal wall
*Contacts the sternum and lower left abdominal wall
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*Dorsally the abdominal air sacs separate it from the intestines and gonads
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*Duodenum and pancreas lies in its caudal right surface
*More caudal than the [[The Proventriculus - Anatomy & Physiology|proventriculus]]
*More caudal than the [[The Proventriculus - Anatomy & Physiology|proventriculus]]
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*In seed eating birds grit is digested to increase grinding down of food particles
*In seed eating birds grit is digested to increase grinding down of food particles
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*Surface covered by glistening tendonous layer
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*The cranial and caudal extremities are formed by powerful red muscular tissue
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*A circular aponeurosis is present connecting the cranial end of the gizzard to the isthmus and the caudal end to the duodenum
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*Thin, but tough mucous membrane
*Thin, but tough mucous membrane
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*Pale, thin lining raised into ridges
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*3 layers of lamina muscularis
*Cuboidal epithelium
*Cuboidal epithelium
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*No gizzard in stringiformes (owls etc.)
*No gizzard in stringiformes (owls etc.)
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*No gizzard in gulls