Digestive Anatomy
What is the function of the digestive system?
To break down food and turn it into the nutrients an animal's body needs to function.
What is the major function of the large intestine?
Water absorption
Provide at least 2 examples of monogastric animals.
Cats
Dogs
Humans
Pigs
What is an enterectomy?
the surgical removal of a portion of the intestine
Digestive organs are located in the anterior or posterior region of the worm?
anterior
What is the name of the tube that transports food from the mouth to the stomach?
esophagus
What is the major function of the small intestine?
nutrient absorption
Guinea pigs, horse and rabbits have what type of digestive system
Pseudoruminant
In what dog breeds might a gastropexy be recommended?
large breed dogs
Great Danes, Mastiffs, St. Bernards, etc.
What type of acid is in our stomach?
hydrochloric acid
What is the function of the cecum? AND provide an example of an animal with an enlarged cecum.
To break down roughage
Any pseudoruminant would have an enlarged cecum
Stones or grit located in the avian's ______ help to mechanically break down food.
gizzard
What is cud-chewing and why is it performed?
This process involves a portion of food that returns from a ruminant's stomach to the mouth to be chewed for the second time and further broken apart.
What is an endoscopy?
is a medical procedure where a veterinarian puts a tube-like instrument into the body to look inside
Name at least one beneficial action of microbial flora (gut bacteria)
can benefit health by breaking down toxins, synthesizing vitamins, defending against infection, etc.
Where is bile produced AND stored?
produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder
Define peristalsis
The wave like contractions that push food through the digestive system
Why is the proventriculus in birds and the abomasum in ruminants know as the true stomach?
because it functions most like humans chemically digesting food
What does the prescription diet c/d help with?
urinary care
Name 2 symptoms of a foreign body obstruction
vomiting
diarrhea
abdominal tenderness or pain
anorexia
straining to defecate or producing small amounts of feces
lethargy
Name the 3 segments of the small intestine
duodenum, jejunum, ilium
Saliva (salivary amylase) breaks down what substance in the mouth?
carbohydrates
What are the 4 chambers of the ruminant stomach?
rumen, reticulum, omasum and abomasum
What are the two types of colic in horses?
Colic compaction
Colic gas
Name the 6 essential nutrients
carbohydrates
proteins
fats
vitamins
minerals
water