Post on 23-Dec-2015
The Digestive System
Learning Objectives
• List the three types of digestive systems for animals.
• Describe the function of the digestive system.
• Name the parts of the digestive system in poultry and explain their function.
Types of Digestive Tracts
• Monogastric: one stomach
• Ruminant: multiple chambers
• Modified Monogastric: poultry/birds
Function of Digestive Tract
• Provide nutrients to the body
Modified Monogastric Poultry/Birds
Mouth (beak)
• No teeth – replaced by beak
Esophagus
• The tube that connects the mouth with the rest of the body
Crop
• Located in the neck region of the bird
• Part of the esophagus
• Used to store food until the bird is ready to digest more food
• Food is softened by saliva and secretions from the crop wall
Proventriculus
• True Stomach
• Secretes enzymes
• Passageway between crop and gizzard
Gizzard
• Unique to birds
• End of stomach before duodenum
• Made up of two smooth muscles
• Contains grit which acts as the birds teeth
• Feed is crushed and mixed with digestive juices
Small Intestine
• Made up of two parts
– duodenum
– lower small intestine
• Important to absorb nutrients
Ceca
• Have no real function
Large Intestine
• Additional absorption of water
Pancreas
• Located in the center of the duodenal loop
• Secretes pancreatic juice which neutralizes the enzymes secreted by the Proventriculus
• Helps break down fat
Liver
• Produces a dark green substance called bile
• Bile is necessary for the absorption of fat
• Bile is stored in the Gall Bladder
Cloaca
• The end of three different tracts– digestive
– reproductive– excretory