Changes

==Introduction==

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

==Overview==

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

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

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

 

The cecum 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 [[Ileum - 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 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|volatile fatty acids (VFAs)]].

 

*VFAs that are produced are absorbed here.

'''Transportation'''

'''2. Absorption'''

VFAs that are produced are absorbed here.

*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]].

==[[Caecum - Histology|Histology]]==

Segmental contractions facilitate absorption and microbial activity. 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]]===

===[[Alimentary System  - Horse Anatomy|Equine]]===

*A significant amount of fermentation takes place.

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

contains haustra & tenia, very large, and point cranially.

===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==

==Histology==

==Links==

==Links==

*[[Intestines, Small and Large - Pathology|Pathology of the Small and Large Intestines]]

'''Click here for information on the [[Intestines, Small and Large - Pathology|pathology of the Small and Large Intestines]]'''

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

 

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

'''Click here for information on the [[Peyer's Patches - Anatomy & Physiology|Peyer's Patches]]'''

*[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/equine/Pony_abdomen.mp4 Lateral View of the Equine Abdomen]

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

|flashcards = [[Caecum - Anatomy & Physiology - Flashcards|Caecum]]

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

|videos = [[Video: Ruminant small and large intestine potcast|Ruminant small and large intestine potcast]]<br>[[Video: Ruminant abdomen potcast|Ruminant abdomen potcast]]<br>[[Video: Foal gastrointestinal tract potcast|Foal gastrointestinal tract potcast]]<br>[[Video: Abdominal viscera of the horse dissection|Abdominal viscera of the horse dissection]]<br>[[Video: Equine left-sided abdominal and thoracic topography dissection|Equine left-sided abdominal and thoracic topography dissection]]<br>[[Video: Equine left-sided abdominal and thoracic topography dissection 2|Equine left-sided abdominal and thoracic topography dissection 2]]<br>[[Video: Ovine large and small intestine dissection|Ovine large and small intestine dissection]]<br>[[Video: Porcine abdomen dissection|Porcine abdomen dissection]]

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

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

*[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:A&P Done]]