Lecture 53: Avian Digestive Physiology Flashcards
What structures comprise the oropharynx in avians?
Combined cavity of mouth and pharynx extending from beak to esophagus
What is the role of the crop?
- store food when rapidly eating, especially if gizzard is full
- small amount of fermentation
- moistening food and release slowly to the rest of the GIT
- absent in insectivores and owls
** important for birds that are prey**
Describe the function of the proventriculus.
- HCl, pepsinogen, gastric lipase and mucus secretion
- Food passes quickly through this area
Describe the function of the gizzard (ventriculus).
- very strong muscle
- small stones and grit accumulate
- lined with thick cuticle called Koilin (secrete solid secretions to protect from acid and pepsin)
Where is the pancreas located within the avian GIT?
Within the duodenal loop
What is the meckel’s diverticulum in the avian GIT?
- Reminant yolk sac
- Distinction between jejunum and ileum
In the avian GIT, about _____ times an hour, digesta from the upper jejunum refluxes into the ventriculus (gizzard).
four
How many lobes does the avian pancreas have?
two
What are the two different types of poultry feces? Briefly describe each?
- Cecal droppings: chocolate brown color, homogenous texture, 1-2 droppings per day
- Intestinal droppings: greenish granular texture, 25-50 intestinal droppings per day
What are some possible causes of impacted crop (aka crop binding or pendulous crop)?
- consuming too much grass or other fibrous material
- can happen if they go a long time without eating and then eat too fast/ too much/ eat a lot of grass
- food fails to move out due to an obstruction
- lack of normal muscle contractions
What causes sour crop in chickens?
Overgrowth of yeast in crop disrupts normal bacteria and causes dilation of the crop, thickening of the crop wall, and bad breath
