The Equine Abdomen Flashcards
Plus some info on pigs
What are the two areas of the equine stomach?
Glandular and non-glandular
The non-glandular area is separated from the glandular area by the margo plicatus.
What is the main specialisation of the equine caecum?
It is enlarged
The caecum has a base, body, and apex.
What are the components of the equine liver?
Left, quadrate, right, and caudate lobes
Horses do not have a gall bladder.
What is the function of the spleen in horses?
Storage of RBCs and WBCs
The spleen is connected to various organs through ligaments.
What constricts the ascending colon in horses?
Caecocolic orifice
This is a notable feature in the development of the caecum.
What is colic?
Abdominal pain
It can be caused by stretching of the gut wall, tension in the mesentery, ischaemia, or inflammation.
What causes colic in horses?
Buildup of gas or blockage
Torsion can lead to tension in the mesentery and cut off blood supply.
What is unique about the equine small intestine?
Similar to that of carnivores with 2 distinct openings into the duodenum
This similarity highlights the digestive adaptations in different species.
What blood supply does the liver receive?
Dual blood supply = hepatic portal vein and hepatic artery
The hepatic portal vein is nutrient-rich, while the hepatic artery is oxygen-rich.
Fill in the blank: The equine stomach has a feature called _______.
Margo plicatus
This feature separates the glandular and non-glandular areas.
What ligament is important in cases of nephrosplenic entrapment?
NSE is when colon is trapped between the spleen + body wall in horses
Nephrosplenic ligament
This condition is related to colic in horses.
True or False: Horses have a gall bladder.
False
This is an important distinction in equine anatomy.
What happens to the caecum during its development?
It continues to grow and elongates in both directions
This growth is a characteristic feature in horses.
What is the role of the spleen in relation to RBCs?
Ability to contract to release more RBCs
This function is notably observed in horses and greyhounds.
What type of diet do pigs have?
Omnivorous
This means pigs eat both plant and animal matter.
What is the structure of a pig’s stomach described as?
Non-glandular region surrounding the oesophagus and extends into the diverticulum (above fundus)
The stomach has a simple structure compared to other species.
How is the liver of a pig organized?
Subdivided lobes, similar to dog, and has a gall bladder
This indicates a complex liver structure.
Describe the ascending colon of pigs.
Greatly elongated and coiled to form a coil-shaped mass
This adaptation allows for increased fermentation and digestion.
What significant developmental change occurs in the pig’s gastrointestinal tract?
Undergoes 450 degree rotation during development so that the cecum is on the LEFT
This rotation is unique and affects the orientation of digestive organs.
