Anatomical Particularities of the Cecum in Rabbits and Chinchillas

Abstract

Morphological particularities of the digestive tract are insuf?iciently studied; more emphasis is put on digestive physiology. Due to the major importance of the cecum in the digestive strategy of rabbits and chinchillas, we consider appropriate a detailed and comparative anatomical description of this organ. Ten rabbits and ten chinchillas were studied using gross dissection. Following dissection, using routine anatomical techniques, the organs were photographed, measured and recorded. All phases of the study were conducted in accordance to the current regulations. In rabbits, the cecum occupies the biggest part of the abdominal cavity compared with chinchillas in which the cecum was located on the left of the median plane. Particularly, in rabbits we noticed a spiral arrangement of the cecum, between the base and body being placed the proximal loop of ascending colon and the ileum. These three anatomical segments form the ileo-ceco-colic complex, a distinct anatomical entity in rabbits. In chinchillas the cecum consists of two segments, the ?irst having a folded appearance and the second a tubular appearance. The ileo-ceco-colic junction in rabbits was obvious, compared to chinchillas. An ileocecal valve and another ceco-colic one which directs digesta were identi?ied in both species. Compared to chinchillas, rabbits show two speci?ic anatomical structures: sacculus rotundus located at the junction of the ileum with the cecum and vermiform appendix in the cecum extension.