Changes

The descending colon is between 2-4m long. It is suspended by a long mesentery; ''mesocolon descendens''. The descending colon has '''two''' taenia. Between the two taenia are distinct sacculations that house the faecal balls.

The descending colon is between 2-4m long. It is suspended by a long mesentery; ''mesocolon descendens''. The descending colon has '''two''' taenia. Between the two taenia are distinct sacculations that house the faecal balls.

====[[Rectal Examination of the Horse|Rectal Palpation]]====

===[[Rectal Examination of the Horse|Rectal Palpation]]===

[[Rectal Examination of the Horse|Rectal palpation]] is a useful technique and is often used to assess colic. Structures that can be palpated ''per rectum'' include; faecal balls in the descending colon, the [[Urinary Bladder - Anatomy & Physiology|bladder]], the [[Reproductive System Overview - Anatomy & Physiology|reproductive organs]] in the mare, the base of the [[Caecum - Anatomy & Physiology|caecum]], the root of the mesentery, the [[Urinary System Overview - Anatomy & Physiology|left kidney]], +/- the nephrosplenic ligament, the left dorsal colon and the pelvic flexure of the ascending colon. ''NB: This is a common site of impaction.''

[[Rectal Examination of the Horse|Rectal palpation]] is a useful technique and is often used to assess colic. Structures that can be palpated ''per rectum'' include; faecal balls in the descending colon, the [[Urinary Bladder - Anatomy & Physiology|bladder]], the [[Reproductive System Overview - Anatomy & Physiology|reproductive organs]] in the mare, the base of the [[Caecum - Anatomy & Physiology|caecum]], the root of the mesentery, the [[Urinary System Overview - Anatomy & Physiology|left kidney]], +/- the nephrosplenic ligament, the left dorsal colon and the pelvic flexure of the ascending colon. ''NB: This is a common site of impaction.''

====Microbial Environment====

===Microbial Environment===

Microbes convert carbohydrates to [[Volatile Fatty Acids|volatile fatty acids]] (VFAs). The horse receives 75% of it's energy requirements from VFAs. The large intestine is buffered by the secretion of large amounts of bicarbonate from the [[Pancreas - Anatomy & Physiology|pancreas]] and the [[Ileum - Anatomy & Physiology|ileum]]. Glands in the wall of the [[Large Intestine - Anatomy & Physiology|large intestine]] may also produce bicarbonate. The microbial population exists in the [[Caecum - Anatomy & Physiology|caecum]] and ventral colon.  

Microbes convert carbohydrates to [[Volatile Fatty Acids|volatile fatty acids]] (VFAs). The horse receives 75% of it's energy requirements from VFAs. The large intestine is buffered by the secretion of large amounts of bicarbonate from the [[Pancreas - Anatomy & Physiology|pancreas]] and the [[Ileum - Anatomy & Physiology|ileum]]. Glands in the wall of the [[Large Intestine - Anatomy & Physiology|large intestine]] may also produce bicarbonate. The microbial population exists in the [[Caecum - Anatomy & Physiology|caecum]] and ventral colon.  

==Liver==

==Liver==

==Pancreas==

==Pancreas==