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→Oesophagus, stomach and intestines
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The digestive system consists of the oral cavity, oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, caecum (some species), colon and cloaca.
The digestive system consists of the oral cavity, oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, caecum (some species), colon and cloaca.
==Oral cavity==
==Oral cavity==
==Oesophagus, stomach and intestines==
==Oesophagus, stomach and intestines==
The oesophagus is distensible to accommodate relatively large prey (for a list of diets, see [[Snake Diet|snake diet]]. The cranial oesophagus is thinly muscled. At the level of the [[Snake Cardiovascular System|heart]], the oesophagus passes through the vascular ring formed by the left and right aortae. It possesses longitudinal folds and is covered with a columnar ciliated epithelium. The oesophagus terminates as the [[Snake Cardiovascular System|cardiac sphincter]]. The thick-walled, spindle-shaped stomach is muscular and distensible. The small intestine is relatively uncoiled but has several short transverse loops tightly enveloped by dorsal mesentery. It empties into the colon that may store faeces. The large intestine is relatively wide and is separated from the cloaca by a distinct fold. A small caecum projects from the proximal colon in Boidae.
The oesophagus is distensible to accommodate relatively large prey (for a list of diets, see [[Snake Diet|snake diet]]). The cranial oesophagus is thinly muscled. At the level of the [[Snake Cardiovascular System|heart]], the oesophagus passes through the vascular ring formed by the left and right aortae. It possesses longitudinal folds and is covered with a columnar ciliated epithelium. The oesophagus terminates as the [[Snake Cardiovascular System|cardiac sphincter]]. The thick-walled, spindle-shaped stomach is muscular and distensible. The small intestine is relatively uncoiled but has several short transverse loops tightly enveloped by dorsal mesentery. It empties into the colon that may store faeces. The large intestine is relatively wide and is separated from the cloaca by a distinct fold. A small caecum projects from the proximal colon in Boidae.
* For more information on snake digestion, see [[Snake Feeding and Digestion|snake digestion]].
* For more information on snake digestion, see [[Snake Feeding and Digestion|snake digestion]].
* Learn about snake excretion [[Lizard and Snake Excretion|here]].
* Learn about snake excretion [[Lizard and Snake Excretion|here]].
==Cloaca==
==Cloaca==
The cloaca is divided into three parts (cranial to caudal): coprodeum, urodeum and proctodeum. The coprodeum collects faeces from the colon. The urodeum, which is the midsection of the cloaca, collects urinary waste and products of [[Snake Reproductive System|reproduction]]. The urogenital papilla is situated dorsally behind a small fold. The proctodeum is the reservoir for faecal and urinary waste before [[Lizard and Snake Excretion|excretion]] and contains the openings of the cloacal scent glands.
The cloaca is divided into three parts (cranial to caudal): coprodeum, urodeum and proctodeum. The coprodeum collects faeces from the colon. The urodeum, which is the midsection of the cloaca, collects urinary waste and products of [[Snake Reproductive System|reproduction]]. The urogenital papilla is situated dorsally behind a small fold. The proctodeum is the reservoir for faecal and urinary waste before [[Lizard and Snake Excretion|excretion]] and contains the openings of the cloacal scent glands.
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[[Category:Snake_Anatomy]]
[[Category:Snake_Anatomy]]