Gizzard - Anatomy & Physiology

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BACK TO ALIMENTARY - ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY
BACK TO THE AVIAN DIGESTIVE TRACT - ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY

Introduction

The gizzard is also referred to as the muscular stomach. It is connected by the isthmus to the proventriculus and to the duodenum.

Structure and Function

Gizzard Anatomy - RVC 2008
  • Mechanical reduction of tougher material through powerful muscular development
  • Contacts the liver
  • Contacts the sternum and lower left abdominal wall
  • Roughly on the midline of the bird
  • Lens shaped
  • Interior elongated by cranial and caudal blind sacs
  • Pylorus on right surface next to cranial blind sac
  • Two thick masses of muscle that insert on tendonous surfaces
  • In seed eating birds grit is digested to increase grinding down of food particles


Histology

  • Thin, but tough mucous membrane
  • Cuboidal epithelium
  • Tubular glands
  • Cuticle of koilin a carbohydrate complex is present due to the solidifying of the glandular secretion. It is replenished as it is worn down.
  • Thick keratin layer to protect muscle


Species Diffences

  • No gizzard in falconiformes (raptors etc.)
  • No gizzard in stringiformes (owls etc.)


Other Information

  • Grit should be provided in seed eating birds diet. It is radiodense and marks out where the gizzard is located on radiographs.