The Equine GIT Flashcards Preview

Equine Evolutionary Anatomy > The Equine GIT > Flashcards

Flashcards in The Equine GIT Deck (19)
Loading flashcards...
1
Q

What are the two types of teeth?

A

Hypsodont and brachyodont teeth

2
Q

Describe hypsodont teeth

A

These teeth continually grow and need to be worn down. They are suited to animals that have evolved to eat a gritty fibrous diet, such as horses, cows and deer.

3
Q

Describe brachyodont teeth

A

These teeth are a set size and are more suited to holding, tearing and shredding food.

4
Q

What is the issue with feeding high levels of concentrates?

A

As horses have hysodont teeth that need to be worn down, high levels of concentrates do not do this, so the teeth are able to grow too long.

5
Q

What are the 4 compartments of the ruminent stomach?

A
  • the rumen
  • the reticulum
  • the omasum
  • the abomasum
6
Q

Describe the reticulum

A

Has a honeycomb lining and no secretions. This is where bolus is formed, regurgitation is initiated and things that should not be eaten are collected.

7
Q

Describe the rumen

A

The portion of the stomach that is full of good bacteria where forage is fermented. It has the enzyme cellulase which breaks down cellulose. The first portion of the stomach.

8
Q

Describe the omasum

A

Has a laminae lining and muscular folds and no secretions. Reduces particle size and absorbs 60% of water and volatile fatty acids to prevent buffering of the abomasum.

9
Q

Describe the abomasum

A

Produces pepsin, the enzyme for breaking down proteins. It is the last portion of the stomach.

10
Q

What are the components of the equine GIT?

A

The oesophagus, the stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, anus

11
Q

Define SALIVA

A

Saliva is a watery liquid secreted into the mouth by glands, providing lubrication for chewing and swallowing, and aiding digestion.

12
Q

Where and when is saliva produced in a horse?

A

Saliva is secreted only when the horse chews, which can be between 10-12l.
It is produced by the paratoid, sub-lingual and mandibular glands.

13
Q

What is the size of each of the horse’s gut compartments?

A

Stomach - 8% of total GIT
Small intestine - 30%
Large intestine - 62%

14
Q

Describe the equine stomach

A
  • has around 25l of secretions per day, which are triggered by the presence of food.
  • secretions are controlled by hormones and by nerve stretch receptors
  • ## pepsinogen is the inactive form of pepsin and is there to ensure that the stomach does not digest itself.
15
Q

What is secreted in the small intestine?

A

duodenal juice (acts as a lubricant),

pancreatic juice (controlled by the two hormones secretin and CCK-PZ),

bile (constantly release and aids the digestion of lipids. Can damage the SI if there is no food)

succus entericus (intestinal fluid of which a small amount is secreted in the SI).

16
Q

Describe the small intestine

A

Made up of the duodenum jejunum and the ileum.

17
Q

Describe the large intestine

A

Made up of the caecum, the large and small colon and the rectum. Microbial digestion takes place, but no enzymes are produced. Lots of water is absorbed here.

18
Q

What are the micro organisms in the gut?

A

These mosty reside in the hindgut and require a constant internal environment in order to stay effective. They ferment fibre and release nutrient that the horse can absorb, such as VFA and vitamins B and complex K

19
Q

What is the significance of the liver/pancreas?

A
  • they are accessory organs to the digestive process
  • the liver produces bile
  • the pancreas produces pancreatic juice and digestive enzymes