Difference between revisions of "Large Intestine - Anatomy & Physiology"

From WikiVet English
Jump to navigation Jump to search
 
(71 intermediate revisions by 6 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
<big><center>[[Alimentary - Anatomy & Physiology|'''BACK TO ALIMENTARY - ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY''']]</center></big>
+
#REDIRECT[[:Category:Large Intestine - Anatomy & Physiology]]
 
 
==Introduction==
 
 
 
The large intestine extends from the [[Ileum - Anatomy & Physiology|ileum]] of the [[Small Intestine - Anatomy & Physiology|small intestine]] to the anus. It absorbs water from the ingesta and stores faeces prior to defeacation. Every species has a large microbial population living in the large intestine, which is of particular importance to the [[Hindgut Fermenters - Anatomy & Physiology|hindgut fermenters]]. For this reason, hindgut fermenters have a more complex large intestine with highly specialised regions for fermentation.
 
 
 
The large intestine can be divided into:
 
 
 
*[[Caecum - Anatomy & Physiology|Caecum]]
 
*[[Colon - Anatomy & Physiology|Colon]]
 
*[[Rectum - Anatomy & Physiology|Rectum]]
 
*[[Anus - Anatomy & Physiology|Anus]]
 
 
 
==Structure==
 
 
 
==Function==
 
 
 
 
 
==Vasculature==
 
 
 
*The cranial mesenteric supplies the caecum, ascending and part of the transverse colon.
 
*The caudal mersenteric supplies the rest of the transverse colon, the descending colon and the rectum.
 
 
 
==Innervation==
 
 
 
*Like the [[Small Intestine - Anatomy & Physiology|small intestine]], the large intestine recieves sympathetic and parasympathetic innervation.
 
*Neurones interact with the myenteric plexus to affect contractility, and with the submucosal plexus to affect secretions.
 
**The '''sympathetic '''have coeliac, cranial mesenteric and caudal mesenteric ganglia.
 
**As the sympathetic fibres leave the ganglia, they surround their respective artery.
 
**'''Parasympathetic''' innervation stimulates peristalsis.
 
 
 
==Lymphatics==
 
 
 
 
 
==Histology==
 
 
 
*The muscosa of the large intestine is smooth; there are '''no villi'''.
 
*There are numerous scattered lymph nodules.
 
*'''Taenia''' may be present.
 
**These are concentrations of the longitudinal muscle layer into long bands.
 
**When the taenia contract, they cause shortening of the large intestine, which produces saccualtions, or '''haustra'''.
 
*Many glands are present in the mucosa and skin of the anal region.
 
 
 
==Species Differences==
 
 
 
===Carnivore===
 
*The dog and cat posses two '''anal sacs'''. In the dog, these are the size of a hazlenut.
 
**They are located ventrolaterally between the internal and external anal sphincters.
 
**The fundus of the sac secretes a potent smelling fluid that drains through a single duct to an opening near the anocutaneous juncntion.
 
**The anal sacs get compressed during defecation, which causes the fluid to be expressed. The scent of the fluid is thought to act as a territorial marker.
 
 
 
===Ruminant===
 
 
 
 
 
===[[Hindgut Fermenters - Anatomy & Physiology|Horse]]===
 
 
 
===Pig===
 
*Taenia present
 
 
 
==Links==
 
[[The Small and Large Intestines|Pathology of the Small and Large Intestine]]
 

Latest revision as of 14:03, 7 September 2010