Veterinary Splanchnology and Applied Anotomy

LARGE INTESTINE (FOWL)

• The large intestine consists of the two caeca and the colon. The line of demarcation between the ileum and the colon is at the openings of the caeca
• The caeca are two in number, left and right and are two blind tubes about 16 to 18 cm long extending from the ileo-colic junction on either side of it, forwards to the liver and are doubled on themselves
• They are connected with the gastro-intestinal tract at the junction between the ileum and colo-rectum
• Each of these tubular structures has a length of about 15cm
• They extend first cranially and then caudally parallel to the ileum
• Each caecum has three parts-proximal, middle and distal
• The proximal part is narrow and is connected with the intestine. Middle part is wide and the distal part is expanded
• The distal part terminates in the form of a pointed end. The wall contains lymphoid tissue, mostly at the proximal part. This lymphoid tissue is known as caecal tonsil
• The colon or colo-rectum is short straight tube, (without any demarcation between colon and rectum), extending backwards from the openings of caeca, to terminate behind at the cloaca. (View image)