Changes

==Introduction==

==Overview==

[[Image:opendogcaecum.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Dog caecum, ileum and colon - © RVC 2008]]

[[Image:opendogcaecum.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Dog caecum, ileum and colon - © RVC 2008]]

[[Image:Caecum and appendix of gibbon.JPG|thumb|right|150px|Gibbon caecum and appendix- © RVC 2008]]

[[Image:Caecum and appendix of gibbon.JPG|thumb|right|250px|Gibbon caecum and appendix- © RVC 2008]]

The caecum is a blind ending diverticulum of the large intestine and it exists at the junction of the [[Ileum - Anatomy & Physiology|ileum]] and the ascending [[Colon - Anatomy & Physiology|colon]]. It's size and physiological importance vary between species. It is a site of microbial fermentation, absorption and transportation.

 

The caecum is a blind ending diverticulum of the large intestine and it exists at the junction of the '''[[Ileum - Anatomy & Physiology|ileum]'''] and the ascending '''[[Colon - Anatomy & Physiology|colon]]'''. Its size and physiological importance varies between species. It is a site of microbial fermentation, absorption and transportation.

==Structure==

==Structure==

   

   

*It communicates with the [[Small Intestine Overview - Anatomy & Physiology|ileum]] via the ileal orifice and with the [[Colon - Anatomy & Physiology|colon]] via the caecocolic orifice.

The caecum communicates with the [[Small Intestine Overview - Anatomy & Physiology|ileum]] via the '''ileal orifice''' and with the [[Colon - Anatomy & Physiology|colon]] via the '''caecocolic orifice'''.

*It consists of a base, body and apex, the apex being the blind-ending portion.  

It consists of a base, body and apex. The apex is the blind-ending portion. It is attached to the [[Small Intestine Overview - Anatomy & Physiology|ileum]] by a fold of peritoneum called the '''ileocaecal fold'''.

*It is attached to the [[Small Intestine Overview - Anatomy & Physiology|ileum]] by a fold of peritoneum called the '''ileocaecal fold'''.

==Function==

==Function==

'''Microbial Fermentation'''

'''1. Microbial Fermentation'''

*The contribution of this is [[#Species Differences|species dependant]]. The products of fermentation are [[Volatile Fatty Acids|VFAs]].

The contribution of this is [[#Species Differences|species dependant]]. The products of fermentation are [[Volatile Fatty Acids|VFAs]].

'''Absorption'''

'''2. Absorption'''

*VFAs that are produced are absorbed here.

VFAs that are produced are absorbed here.

'''Transportation'''

'''3. Transportation'''

*Segmental contractions facilitate absorption and microbial actitivity.

Segmental contractions facilitate absorption and microbial actitivity. Every 3-5 minutes, segmentation is replaced by ''mass movements''. This is similar to peristalsis, but large portions of the caecum contract simultaneously to move chyme into the [[Colon - Anatomy & Physiology|colon]].

*Every 3-5 minutes, segmentation is replaced by ''mass movements''. This is similar to peristalsis, but large portions of the caecum contract simultaneously to move chyme into the [[Colon - Anatomy & Physiology|colon]].

 

==Species Differences==

==Species Differences==

===Canine===

===Canine===

*On the right side of the abdomen.

In canine species, the caecum is on the right side of the abdomen. It is unique because it has no direct connection to the [[Ileum - Anatomy & Physiology|ileum]]. It is short and held in a spiral shape against the ileum by the '''ileocaecal fold'''. Little microbial fermentation takes place.  

*Unique because it has no direct connection to the [[Ileum - Anatomy & Physiology|ileum]].

*Short and held in a spiral shape against the ileum by the ileocaecal fold.

*Little microbial fermentation takes place.

===Ruminant===

===Ruminant===

*On the right side of the abdomen in the supraomental recess

In the ruminant, the caecum is found on the right side of the abdomen, in the '''supraomental recess'''. The apex points caudally. It is relatively small and featureless, there are no taenia or haustra. Some microbial fermentation takes place.

*The apex points caudally.

*Relatively small and featureless: there are no taenia or haustra.

*Some microbial fermentation takes place.

===[[Equine Alimentary System  - Anatomy & Physiology|Equine]]===

===[[Equine Alimentary System  - Anatomy & Physiology|Equine]]===

*A significant amount of fermentation takes place.

A significant amount of fermentation takes place in the equine caecum.

===Porcine===

===Porcine===

*On the left side of the abdomen, with the apex pointing caudoventrally.

The caecum is on the left side of the abdomen, with the apex pointing caudoventrally. It is cylindrical in shape and there are three taenia present. The ''ventral'' taenia provides the attachment for the '''ileocaecal fold'''. The ''lateral'' and ''medial'' taenia are free.

*Cylindrical in shape.

 

*Three taenia are present

**The ''ventral'' taenia provides the attachment for the ileocaecal fold.

**The ''lateral'' and ''medial'' taenia are free.

==Test yourself with the Caecum flashcards==

'''Test yourself with the [[Caecum - Anatomy & Physiology - Flashcards|Caecum Flashcards]]'''

*[[Caecum - Anatomy & Physiology - Flashcards|Caecum Flashcards]]

'''Click here for [[Caecum - Histology|caecum histology]]'''

 

'''Video links:'''

*[[Peyer's Patches - Anatomy & Physiology|Peyer's Patches]]

1.[http://stream2.rvc.ac.uk/Anatomy/bovine/Pot0048.mp4 Pot 48 The Small and Large intestine of the Ruminant]

*[http://stream2.rvc.ac.uk/Anatomy/bovine/Pot0048.mp4 Pot 48 The Small and Large intestine of the Ruminant]

2.[http://stream2.rvc.ac.uk/Anatomy/bovine/Pot0052.mp4 Pot 52 Lateral view of the Abdomen of a young Ruminant]

*[http://stream2.rvc.ac.uk/Anatomy/bovine/Pot0052.mp4 Pot 52 Lateral view of the Abdomen of a young Ruminant]

3.[http://stream2.rvc.ac.uk/Anatomy/equine/Pony_abdomen.mp4 Lateral View of the Equine Abdomen]

*[http://stream2.rvc.ac.uk/Anatomy/equine/Pony_abdomen.mp4 Lateral View of the Equine Abdomen]

4.[http://stream2.rvc.ac.uk/Frean/Pony/left_topography.mp4 Left Sided topography of the Equine abdomen]

*[http://stream2.rvc.ac.uk/Frean/Pony/left_topography.mp4 Left Sided topography of the Equine abdomen]

5.[http://stream2.rvc.ac.uk/Frean/Pony/right_topography.mp4 Right sided topography of the Equine Abdomen]

*[http://stream2.rvc.ac.uk/Frean/Pony/right_topography.mp4 Right sided topography of the Equine Abdomen]

6.[http://stream2.rvc.ac.uk/Anatomy/feline/pot0357.mp4 Pot 357 The Feline Abdomen]

*[http://stream2.rvc.ac.uk/Anatomy/feline/pot0357.mp4 Pot 357 The Feline Abdomen]

7.[http://stream2.rvc.ac.uk/Frean/sheep/LargeSmallIntestine.mp4 Small and Large intestine of the Sheep]

*[http://stream2.rvc.ac.uk/Frean/sheep/LargeSmallIntestine.mp4 Small and Large intestine of the Sheep]

8.[http://stream2.rvc.ac.uk/Anatomy/swine/Pig_abdomen.mp4 The Porcine Abdomen]

*[http://stream2.rvc.ac.uk/Anatomy/swine/Pig_abdomen.mp4 The Porcine Abdomen]

[[Category:Large Intestine - Anatomy & Physiology]]

[[Category:Large Intestine - Anatomy & Physiology]]

[[Category:To Do - A&P]]

[[Category:To Do - AimeeHicks]]