DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

Muscular tube lined with mucous membrane that is continuous

with the external skin at the mouth and at the anus.
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

Functions:
prehension
mastication
digestion
absorption of food
elimination of solid wastes
Organization of the Digestive System

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Oral Cavity
Pharynx
Esophagus

mm
Non Ruminant Stomach
Ruminant Stomach
Small Intestine
mm
Large Intestine
Peritoneal Features
Accessory Digestive Organs
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

Consists of the:
Alimentary Tract
Glands
 Embryonic Origin

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The digestive tract organs are primarily formed from the endoderm , the
germ layer that lines the yolk sac, although the muscle and connective tissues that
support the epithelium are from the mesoderm.
 ORAL CAVITY

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Lips (labium/labia)
structures bounding the oral fissure.
they possess long, tactile hair and

mm
regular hair.

Philtrum
median cleft of the upper lip.
 ORAL CAVITY

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Oral cavity
the space extending from the lips to the
pharynx, bounded laterally by the cheeks.

mm
divided in the oral cavity proper and
vestibule

Mouth
 term designating either the opening
between the lips or the whole oral cavity.
 ORAL CAVITY

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Interdental spaces (diasterna)
the space between teeth.

mm
 ORAL CAVITY

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Palate
partly osseous, partly soft tissue partition
that separates the digestive and respiratory
passages of the head.

mm
Hard palate
the osseous plate and its highly vascular
mucosal opening that separates the oral
and nasal cavities.

Soft palate
the caudal extension of the hard palate,
dividing the rostral region of the pharynx
into oral and nasal parts.
PALATE

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 LIPS

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Bovine Soft and flexible and aid in picking up food
Ovine Soft and flexible and aid in picking up food

mm
Upper lip is deeply grooved with a midline
philtrum
 HARD PALATE

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Bovine Anterior portion forms the dental pad. The palatine
rugae extend only 2/3 of the length of the palate. All but

mm
the last few are serrated on their free borders.
Ovine Rugae are not serrated. The openings of the naso-palatine
ducts form a prominent V on either side of the central
incisive papilla.
MOUTH/ORAL CAVITY

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Vestibule
 the space between the incisors and the lips (labial

mm
vestibule) and the cheek teeth and the cheeks
(buccal vestibule)

Frenulum
 the central fold of mucous membrane connecting
the floor of the oral cavity and the ventral surface
of the tongue.
MOUTH/ORAL CAVITY

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Sublingual caruncles
 the mucosal elevations on the floor of the oral
cavity, under the tongue just caudal to the incisors.
 mandibular and sublingual salivary ducts open on

mm
the caruncles.

Cheek
 the caudolateral wall of the oral cavity.

Gums or gingivae
 the oral mucosa over the jaws, enclosing the necks
of the teeth.
TONGUE

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3 MAJOR PARTS:
1. Apex
 the rostral free end of the

mm
tongue.

2. Body
 the major part of the tongue
attaching to the mandible.

3. Root
 the caudal end of the tongue,
attaching to the hyoid bone.
 TONGUE

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The many papillae on its dorsal surface are name according to their shape.
These papilla have a mechanical or gustatory (taste) function of both.

mm
1. Filiform papillae
2. Conical and lenticular papillae
3. Fungiform papillae
4. Foliate papillae
5. Vallate
6. Marginal
 TONGUE

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Filiform papillae
covering the tongue’s dorsum, thorn-

mm
shaped serving the mechanical
function of directing food caudally.
 TONGUE

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Conical and lenticular papillae
cone shaped papillae located on the caudal

mm
third of the tongue’s dorsum also have a
mechanical function
 TONGUE

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Fungiform papillae
mushroom-shaped papillae, have taste

mm
buds and are therefore gustatory as well
as mechanical.
 TONGUE

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Foliate papillae
a series of leaf-shaped ridges separated

mm
by furrows (crypts) on the lateral border
of the tongue, are gustatory.
 TONGUE

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Vallate papillae
the largest and least numerous of the papillae, are rostral to

mm
the root of the tongue. They are circled by the cleft filled
with taste buds.
TONGUE

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 TONGUE

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Marginal papillae
along the edge of the rostral half of the

mm
newborn puppy’s tongue function in
suckling, helping to prevent milk from
spilling over the tongue’s sides.
they disappear when the diet change to
solid.
 TONGUE

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Mechanical papillae
Filiform papillae
Conical papillae

mm
Marginal papillae

Gustatory papillae
Fungiform papillae
Vallate papillae
Foliate papillae
TONGUE

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6-tonsilar sinus

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8- vallate papillae
9- torus linguae
10 fossa linguae
11- fungiform papillae
TONGUE

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TONGUE

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 TONGUE

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Muscles
Intrinsic Lingual Muscles
- those muscular bundles running in diverse directions to

mm
form the bulk of the tongue
- causes subtle changes in the tongue’s shape during
swallowing, chewing or vocalization

Extrinsic Lingual Muscles

- paired styloglossal, hyoglossal and genioglossal
- responsible for the tongue’s gross movement
- anchors the tongue to the skeleton
 TONGUE

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Innervations

1.Taste sense to the rostal two thirds of the tongue is carried over

mm
the chorda tympani nerve, a branch of the facial nerve (Cn VII).
Taste from the caudal third of the tongue passes by the
glossopharyngeal nerve (Cn IX) and vagus (Cn X) nerves.
2. Sensation (pain, temperature and tactile) is carried over the
lingual branch of the mandibular nerve (Cn V).
3. Motor innervation via hypoglossal nerve (Cn XII).
Structure of Teeth

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Pulp cavity – the central space of the tooth containing

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the pulp. Pulp is the soft tissue containing sensory
nerves, arteries, vein, lymphatics and primitive
connective tissue.

mm
Cusps – the individual bumps on the occlusal surface of
the teeth.
Alveoli – the bony socket of the incisive, mandible and
maxillary bones in which the roots of teeth are
embedded.
Lamina dura – the thin shell of dense bone lining the
alveoli.
Periodontal membrane – the dense fibrous connective
tissue connecting the wall of the alveoli and the
cementum covering the teeth.
 TEETH - perform the principal function of mastication, but also aid in
prehension and are formidable weapons in some species.

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Brachydont teeth
1. Crown - the part projecting above the gum
line covered with enamel.
2. Neck – the constriction between the crown

mm
and the root at the gum line.
3. Root – the part below the gum line
embedded in the alveoli (bony
socket).
Hypsodont teeth
1. Body – no neck. Some anatomist divide
into crown (exposed part) and a body
(embedded).
2. Root - short, proximal part of the tooth.
 TEETH

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Animals may be grouped based on the types of teeth they have.

Selenodont

mm
animals with teeth that have crescents on their
grinding surfaces (e.g., ruminants)
 TEETH

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Animals may be grouped based on the types of teeth they have.
Lophodont
animals with teeth that have ridged occlusal surfaces

mm
(e.g., equine)
 TEETH

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Animals may be grouped based on the types of teeth they have.
Bunodont
animals with teeth that have worn, rounded surfaces

mm
(e.g., swine)
 TEETH

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Animals may be grouped based on the types of teeth they have.

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Hypsodont
animals with continuously erupting teeth (e.g., cheek

mm
teeth of ruminants)
 TEETH

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Animals may be grouped based on the types of teeth they have.

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Brachydont
animals with permanently rooted teeth (e.g., carnivores)

mm
Lateral view of the permanent dentition of the dog.
 TEETH

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Animals may be grouped based on the types of teeth they have.

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Pleurodont
animals with teeth attached by one side on the inner jaw surface (e.g., lizards)

mm
 Structure of Teeth

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Enamel – hardest substance in the body

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Brachydont: enamel covers only the crown
Hypsodont: enamel envelops the crown and body, but not the roots

mm
Cementum- thin bone-like covering
Brachydont: cementum covers the root only
Hypsodont: covers the entire tooth superficial to enamel
 Structure of Teeth

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Dentin(ivory)- hard substance similar to bone forming the bulk of the tooth and surrounds

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the pulp cavity

mm
Teeth- divided into groups by their location and function

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Incisors - or cutters, the rostral most teeth
embedded in the incisive bone and the
mandible’s incisive part.

mm
Canine - or piercers, large tooth between
the incisors and the cheek teeth

Cheek teeth - or grinders, caudal to

canine and incisors in the maxillary
a. Premolars (rostral cheek teeth)
b. molars (caudal cheek teeth)
 TEETH

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 Salivary Glands

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These are extramural glands (glands outside the wall of the digestive system)
emptying into the digestive system via ducts.

mm
 Salivary Glands

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Minor salivary gland - located in the wall of the oral cavity and oral pharynx,
having short ducts.
- mucus secretion

mm
- labial, buccal and lingual

Major salivary gland - located some distance from the oral cavity and empty
their secretions via long ducts
Serous secretion
- parotid, mandibular, sublingual
Salivary Glands

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 Pharynx

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Common passage for food and air and is caudal to oral and nasal cavities,
lined with mucous membrane and surrounded by muscles
Pharynx

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 ESOPHAGUS (GULLET)

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- Conveys food from the pharynx to the stomach

mm
 ESOPHAGUS (GULLET)

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- Cervical, thoracic and abdominal portions

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 ESOPHAGUS (GULLET)

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- It begins dorsal to the cricoid cartilage of larynx to the cardia of the stomach.
- Innervated by the sympathetic and vagus nerves

mm
 ESOPHAGUS (GULLET)

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- Striated muscle: arises from the mesoderm of the pharyngeal arches and is
under control of the general visceral motor neurons of the vagus
- Smooth muscle portion: under direct control of intrinsic NS and indirect

mm
control of the ANS
ESOPHAGUS (GULLET)
Four layers (from inside to outside)
Mucosa (tunica mucosa)
– surface epithelium which is generally
stratifies squamous, degree of keratinization reflects
the relative harshness of a species’ habitual diet.
Submucosa
– connects the mucosa to the muscular layer
Muscular Layer
- outer longitudinal layer and an inner
circular layer
Adventitia
- outer layer of the cervical portion is loose
connective tissue which connects the esophagus with
adjacent tissue in a mobile fashion. It is replaced by
serosa in the thorax and abdomen
ESOPHAGUS (GULLET)

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 NON – RUMINANT STOMACH

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Stomach (G. gaster) - dilation in the GI tract caudal to the esophagus.
Simple Stomach - single compartment

mm
- carnivores, horse and pig
 NON – RUMINANT STOMACH

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Gastric enzymes (pepsin,rennin,HCl)
- are secreted in the glands of the stomach wall
Innervation
- the stomach is innervated by parasympathetic fibers from the vagal
trunks and by sympathetic fibers that reach the organ with the arteries.
 NON – RUMINANT STOMACH

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Parts:

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1. Cardia - entrance area located nearest
the esophagus

mm
2. Fundus - blind expanded portion of the
stomach’s left side, immediately
adjacent to cardia

3. Body (corpus) - largest part, extending

from the cardia to the pyloric part

4. Pylorus - narrow passage between the

stomach and duodenum
 NON – RUMINANT STOMACH

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Dog. The empty or part-filled stomach is C-shaped with its convex surface facing
caudoventrally and to the left. Cardia is rather wide which may be related to the ease
with which the dogs vomit. Gastric volvulus iscommon esp. in larger breeds. Non-
glandular and cardiac gland region are limited to a circular zone around the entrance of
esophagus.
 NON – RUMINANT STOMACH

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Blood Supply
- (comes from all three main branches
of celiac artery)

mm
Left gastric artery
- direct branch of celiac
artery, largest of the arteries
supplying the stomach.
Hepatic artery
- provides blood supply to
the liver
Splenic artery
- supplies the spleen
NON – RUMINANT STOMACH

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 RUMINANT STOMACH (complex)

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The stomach of domestic ruminants is composed of four chambers :
Forestomach
- lined with nonglandular stratified squamous epithelium

mm
a. Rumen
b. Reticulum
c. Omasum

d. Abomasum: glandular part

 RUMINANT STOMACH (complex)

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Rumen
• large, laterally compressed sac which fills almost the entire left

mm
half of the abdomen
• extends from the diaphragm cranially to the pelvic inlet caudally
• has a parietal surface (adjacent to diaphragm and the left lateral
and ventral abdominal wall) and a visceral surface which is
against the liver, intestines, omasum and abomasum.
Alimentary Tract

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RUMINANT STOMACH (complex)

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 RUMINANT STOMACH (complex)

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Ruminal papillae
- peg-like mucosal projections giving the surface of rumen a “pile rug”
appearance.
- increases the epithelial surface area by a factor of seven
 RUMINANT STOMACH (complex)

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The distinct honeycomb pattern
of the reticular mucosa is
formed by ridges (crista

mm
reticuli) that outlines 4-,5-,6-
sided cells (cellulae reticuli).
These ridges and the cell floors
between them carry short
papillae.

Reticulum – interior has a honeycomb appearance due to its intersecting

mucosal crests.
 RUMINANT STOMACH (complex)

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Omasum
- third compartment, “Butcher’s Bible” or “Book” because of the page apperance
of its muscular laminae.
 RUMINANT STOMACH (complex)

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Abomasum
- compartment lined with glandular mucosa similar to the simple stomach
of the carnivore

mm
Gastric Groove( sulcus ventriculi)
• Channel through the stomach following its lesser curvature
• Found in all domestic species but of gresatest importance in suckling
ruminants.
• Suckling with the head up causes the lip of this groove to close and this
forms a tube from the cardiac openng to the abomasum.
 RUMINANT STOMACH (complex)

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• Blood Supply – there is a right and left ruminal artery aside from the three
branches of the celiac artery
• Innervation- sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves

mm
 RUMINANT STOMACH (complex)

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Specie Comparative Notes
Rumen Omasum Abomasum
Bovine Constitutes Constitutes Constitutes 7-8% of total

mm
approximately 80% of approximately 7-8% of stomach capacity; related
the total stomach the total stomach anteriorly to the liver only
capacity; foliate papillae capacity; makes contact in the calf
are crenated at the free with the right body wall
extremity

Ovine 80% of the total 9% of the total stomach 7-8% of total stomach
stomach capacity; capacity; not in contact capacity; always related
papillae are club- with the body wall anteriorly to the liver
shaped
 Small Intestine

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Principal site of digestion and absorption, extending from the pylorus of
stomach to the large intestine.
Divided into:

mm
A. Duodenum – receives ingesta from the stomach
B. Jejunum – longest part of the small intestine, most mobile, free part of
the entire alimentary canal due to the long mesojejunum which suspends
the jejunum and ileum from the abdominal roof.
C. Ileum – short terminal portion of the small intestine which empties into
the large intestine
Small Intestine

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Small intestine
: grossly similar in all domestic species

mm
 Small Intestine

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Specie Comparative Notes
Canine 13 ft. in length , bile duct and ventral pancreatic duct open 2 inches

mm
beyond the pylorus. The dorsal pancreatic duct opens 2 in. further
back.
Bovine 230 ft. in length; duodenum commences with a sigmoid flexure. No
ventral pancreatic duct. Dorsal pancreatic duct opens 1 foot further
back
 Large intestine

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- the cecum, colon, rectum and anal canal.
- extends from the ileum to the anus and functions to dehydrate fecal contents
by absorbing water.

mm
Cecum- blind diverticulum at the beginning of colon.
Colon- ascending, transverse and descending segments of the large
intestine fixed in the dorsal abdomen by a short mesentery.
All animals have a transverse and descending portion. The arrangement
from the cecum to the transverse colon varies between species.
Rectum
Large intestine

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 Colon

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• Ascending Colon- first part of the colon. In the carnivores, it is the right
colon, extending cranially on the right side of the dorsal abdomen by a short
mesentery.

mm
• Transverse Colon – short, passes from right to the left, cranial to the root of
the mesentery

• Descending Colon- long descending colon, passes left of the mesenteric root
caudally.
 Colon

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• Ascending Colon
Pigs and Ruminants : forms a coil, the spiral colon

mm
 Large intestine

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Rectum – large intestine within the pelvic cavity, extending from the
descending colon to the anal canal.
Anal Canal – short termination of the alimentary canal, opening into the

mm
exterior as the anus.

Anus (L.Ring)- external opening of the intestine

 PERITONEAL FEATURES

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• Peritoneum- the serosa lining the abdomen and
covering its organs. Parietal (lines cavity wall)
and visceral (invests the organs within a cavity).

mm
• The peritoneal cavity is completely enclosed in
the male, but in the female a potential
communication with the exterior exists at the
abdominal opening of each uterine tube.
• The parietal and visceral peritonea are continuous
with one another at double folds of serosa called
mesenteries.
 PERITONEAL FEATURES

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Mesentery
Type of connecting peritoneum between the intestinal and reproductive
tracts to the abdominal wall.

mm
• Mesoduodenum
– peritoneal fold suspending the duodenum from the dorsal body wall.
• Mesojejunum and mesoileum
• Root of the mesentery- narrow attachment of the long mesojejunumand
mesoileum to the dorsal wall of the abdominal cavity
• Ileocecal fold
- fold of connecting peritoneum between the ileum and cecum.
 PERITONEAL FEATURES

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Omentum
• Double-layered connecting peritoneum between the stomach and
abdominal organs/wall.

mm
• Lesser Omentum
connects the lesser curvature of the stomach and first part of
duodenum to the porta of liver.
• Greater Omentum
connects the greater curvature of the stomach to the dorsal
abdomnal wall
PERITONEAL FEATURES

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 ACCESSORY DIGESTIVE ORGANS

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Liver
- largest gland in the body, functions in detoxificationof drugs and toxins, metabolism of
carbohydrates and fats, plasma protein production, urea formation, etc.

mm
 Liver - OX

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Not divided into lobes, well-marked renal notch, caudate process visible from parietal surface
Liver - OX

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Gallbladder - OX

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Gallbladder
- the gallbladder is a sac embedded in

mm
the liver that stores bile for later use.
-when bile is needed, the gallbladder
contracts, which forces bile out of the cystic
duct into the common bile duct.
- the common bile duct carries bile into
the duodenum.
 Accessory Digestive Organs

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Pancreas
- is an elongated gland located
near the cranial portion of the

mm
duodenum.
-the main pancreatic duct enters
the duodenum close to the common bile
duct.
-in species such as sheep and
goats, it empties directly into the
common bile duct.
1, Esophagus; 2, stomach; 3, cranial flexure of duodenum; 4, descending duodenum;
5, left lobe of pancreas; 6, body; 7, right lobe; 8, caudal flexure of duodenum; 9, bile
duct; 10, mesoduodenum.
 ACCEOSSORY DIGESTIVE ORGANS

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• Pancreatic (Wirsung’s) duct
– tube opening with the bile duct on the
major duodenal papilla.

mm
• Accessory Pancreatic (Santorini’s) duct
- opening into the duodenum on the minor
duodenal papilla
NON – RUMINANT STOMACH

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 m
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Intestinal resection and anastomosis

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Intestinal resection and anastomosis

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