Digestive Anatomy: Herbivores & Carnivores

Carnivore

Simple stomach with short intestines for digestion.

Herbivore

Long gastrointestinal tract for fiber breakdown.

Foregut Fermenters

Modified stomach for microbial fermentation, e.g., cows.

Hindgut Fermenters

Modified caecum/colon for fermentation, e.g., horses.

Caecum

Short in carnivores, large in herbivores.

Colon

Relatively short in carnivores, large in herbivores.

Liver

Largest gland, produces bile and detoxifies.

Hepatic Portal Vein

Brings blood from intestines to liver.

Gallbladder

Stores bile between liver lobes.

Bile Duct

Transports bile from gallbladder to duodenum.

Pancreas

Produces digestive juices and hormones.

Exocrine Function

Releases digestive enzymes into the duodenum.

Endocrine Function

Produces hormones like insulin and glucagon.

Digestive Juices

Contain enzymes for protein and carbohydrate breakdown.

Abomasum

Stomach chamber producing enzymes in ruminants.

Volatile Fatty Acids

Absorbed during fermentation in foregut fermenters.

Small Intestine

Major site for enzymatic digestion and absorption.

Microbial Fermentation

Occurs mainly in large intestine of herbivores.

Simple Stomach

Similar to carnivores, less complex digestive system.

Sacculated Colon

Large, segmented structure in hindgut fermenters.

C-shaped Stomach

Breaks up food and mixes with digestive juices.