Author
2,954
edits
Changes
no edit summary
The digestive system consists of the oral cavity, oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, [[Caecum - Anatomy & Physiology|caecum]] (some species), [[Colon - Anatomy & Physiology|colon]] and [[Cloaca|cloaca]].
The digestive system consists of the oral cavity, oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, [[Caecum - Anatomy & Physiology|caecum]] (some species), [[Colon - Anatomy & Physiology|colon]] and [[Cloaca|cloaca]].
==Oral cavity==
==Oral cavity==
[[Image:Open_mouth.jpg|200px|thumb|right|'''Sheathed tongue of a bullsnake''' - ©RVC and its licensors, Peer Zwart and Fredric Frye. All rights reserved]]
[[Image:Open_mouth.jpg|200px|thumb|right|'''Sheathed tongue of a bullsnake''' - (Copyright © RVC)]]
The mouth of a snake can open widely by the independent movement of the jaws to accommodate relatively [[Snake Feeding|large prey]]. The mucous salivary glands moisten the mouth, lubricate prey, aid digestion and excrete salt. Venom glands that produce toxins to kill prey are modified salivary glands. The sheathed tongue lies in a diverticulum on the floor of the mouth ventral to the glottis. It functions for [[Snake Special Senses|vomeronasal chemoreception]] and plays no role in swallowing, during which is is retracted into the sheath. Snakes that lose their tongues may not feed. The surface epithelial layer or the snake's tongue is periodically [[Snake Shedding|shed]] intact and is often seen in the [[Snake Housing|water bowl]]. The oral mucosa of snakes is paler than that of mammals since the PCV may be about half to two thirds that of mammals.
The mouth of a snake can open widely by the independent movement of the jaws to accommodate relatively [[Snake Feeding|large prey]]. The mucous salivary glands moisten the mouth, lubricate prey, aid digestion and excrete salt. Venom glands that produce toxins to kill prey are modified salivary glands. The sheathed tongue lies in a diverticulum on the floor of the mouth ventral to the glottis. It functions for [[Snake Special Senses|vomeronasal chemoreception]] and plays no role in swallowing, during which is is retracted into the sheath. Snakes that lose their tongues may not feed. The surface epithelial layer or the snake's tongue is periodically [[Snake Shedding|shed]] intact and is often seen in the [[Snake Housing|water bowl]]. The oral mucosa of snakes is paler than that of mammals since the PCV may be about half to two thirds that of mammals.
==Oesophagus, stomach and intestines==
==Oesophagus, stomach and intestines==