Changes

*70%+ of starch is digested by '''enzymes'''.

*70%+ of starch is digested by '''enzymes'''.

==Caecum==

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

*Main site of microbial fermentation, followed by the ascending then descending colons.

*Main site of microbial fermentation, followed by the ascending then descending [[Colon - Anatomy & Physiology|colons]].

*On the right side of the abdomen.

*On the right side of the abdomen.

*Very large, roughly 1m in length with a 30L capacity.

*Very large, roughly 1m in length with a 30L capacity.

*The base lies in the right dorsal part of the abdomen in contact with the abdominal roof.

*The base lies in the right dorsal part of the abdomen in contact with the abdominal roof.

*Apex lies on the ventral abdominal wall, and terminates at the level of the xiphoid cartilage.

*Apex lies on the ventral abdominal wall, and terminates at the level of the xiphoid cartilage.

*Exists at the junction with the ileum and colon.

*Exists at the junction with the [[Ileum - Anatomy & Physiology|ileum]] and [[Colon - Anatomy & Physiology|colon]].

**The '''caecocolic orifice''' is where the caecum opens into the ascending colon. This exists as a transverse slit formed by a constriction of the ascending colon. There is a sphincter at this point which prevents backward flow of ingesta when the colon contracts.

**The '''caecocolic orifice''' is where the [[Caecum - Anatomy & Physiology|caecum]] opens into the ascending [[Colon - Anatomy & Physiology|colon]]. This exists as a transverse slit formed by a constriction of the ascending [[Colon - Anatomy & Physiology|colon]]. There is a sphincter at this point which prevents backward flow of ingesta when the colon contracts.

**The ileum opens into the caecum at the '''ileal papilla'''. This is a small projection into the caecum housing the ileal sphincter and venous plexus that, together, control the ileal orifice.

**The [[Ileum - Anatomy & Physiology|ileum]] opens into the [[Caecum - Anatomy & Physiology|caecum]] at the '''ileal papilla'''. This is a small projection into the [[Caecum - Anatomy & Physiology|caecum]] housing the ileal sphincter and venous plexus that, together, control the ileal orifice.

*Taenia are present.

*Taenia are present.

**Taenia are formed by concentration of the ''longitudinal'' muscle layer.

**Taenia are formed by concentration of the ''longitudinal'' muscle layer.

**Between the taenia are sacculations, or haustra.

**Between the taenia are sacculations, or haustra.

**Haustra appear as folds on the interior surface.

**Haustra appear as folds on the interior surface.

***There are '''four''' taenia over the caecum: -dorsal - ventral - lateral -medial.

***There are '''four''' taenia over the [[Caecum - Anaotmy & Physiology|caecum]]: -dorsal - ventral - lateral -medial.

***The ''dorsal'' taenia provides the attachment site for the ileocaecal fold, which joins the caecum to the ileum.

***The ''dorsal'' taenia provides the attachment site for the ileocaecal fold, which joins the [[Caecum - Anatomy & Physiology|caecum]] to the [[Ileum - Anatomy & Physiology|ileum]].

***The ''lateral'' taenia provides the attachment site for the caecocolic fold, which joins the caecum to the ascending colon.

***The ''lateral'' taenia provides the attachment site for the caecocolic fold, which joins the [[Caecum - Anatomy & Physiology|caecum]] to the ascending [[Colon - Anatomy & Physiology|colon]].

***The ''ventral'' taenia is free.

***The ''ventral'' taenia is free.

***The ''medial'' and ''lateral'' taenia are where the caecal vessels and lymph nodes are located.

***The ''medial'' and ''lateral'' taenia are where the caecal vessels and [[Lymph Nodes - Anatomy & Physiology|lymph nodes]] are located.

*Ingesta is regularly transported from the ileum to the caecum, this movement can be heard upon auscultation of the right dorsal quadrant of the caudal abdomen.

*Ingesta is regularly transported from the [[Ileum - Anatomy & Physiology|ileum]] to the [[Caecum - Anatomy & Physiology|caecum]], this movement can be heard upon auscultation of the right dorsal quadrant of the caudal abdomen.

**Ausculatation of this area is carried out in assesment of colic.

**Ausculatation of this area is carried out in assesment of colic.

*In the horse, the caecum is responsible for the digestion of complex carbohydrates such as cellulose.

*In the horse, the [[Caecum - Anatomy & Physiology|caecum]] is responsible for the digestion of complex carbohydrates such as cellulose.

==Colon==

==Colon==