Camelid GI Anatomy

How many compartments does the stomach of the camelid have?

3

Hindgut

Do camelids rely more on foregut or hindgut fermentation?

Forage

What do camelids primarily eat?

Compartment 1 of stomach

Has cranial and caudal part separated by transverse pillar

No stratification of stomach contents

Largest compartment (83% of stomach volume)

Glandular saccules/sacculations

Occupies much of the left side

Glandular saccules/sacculations

Most of the surface area of compartment 1 of stomach

Contain folds of simple columnar cells that have secretory and absorptive functions

Gastrolith

Compartment 2 of stomach

Holds only 6% of stomach volume

Surface contains glandular cells

Glandular cells

In compartment 2 of stomach

Small amount of stratified squamous epithelium

Compartment 3 of stomach

Long of tubular

Contains typical gastric and pyloric glands in the caudal 1/5th

Contains the gastric glands —> Functions as the “true” stomach

C2, C1, caudal to cranial, C1, cranial to caudal, C1

Stomach contractions:

Single rapid contraction of __ followed by contraction of __ in a ___ direction

Next, __ contracts in the reverse direction, ___

Contractions of __ occur 6-8 times before C2 contracts again

Left

Which side should you listen to the stomach?

3-4

How many stomach contractions per minute in a resting camelid?

Duodenum

Dilated ampulla at the start of the duodenum

Courses dorsally on the right side of C1 to the dorsal abdomen, caudal to the liver

Jejunum

Folded around the root of the mesentery

Right caudal abdomen

Ileum

Begins ventrally and courses dorsally to the large intestine

Cecum

Lies approximately on the midline

Directed caudally toward the pelvic inlet

• May curve ventrally and laterally to the left

Parts of ascending colon

Proximal loop, spiral loop, distal loop

Centripetal coils, centrifugal coils

Parts of spiral loop

Centripetal coils

Primary site for fecalith impaction in camelids

Transverse colon

Passes right to left, cranial to the root of the mesentery

Descending colon

Continues to the rectum

Proximal (oral) portion of spiral colon

Where do the fecal pellets begin to form?

South American camelids

Which type of camelids use a dung pile for urination and defecation?

Cartilage of the last rib

The dorsocaudal border of the liver extends caudally to the ___

C2, C3

Which vertebrae does the liver cover?