Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Anatomy of the cecum of the vole, Microtus agrestis

  • Published:
Anatomy and Embryology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The anatomy of the cecum of the vole, Microtus agrestis, was investigated using macroscopic dissections, “wet” and dried total specimens, and correlated light, scanning and electron microscopy.

The cecum of the vole reveals a series of structural differentiations including a mural lip in the ampulla ceci and a spiral fold in the corpus ceci. The mucosa covering the cecal wall possesses short, wide-opened crypts and differs from the classical descriptions of the large intestinal mucosa. Fine structural observations suggest the cecal epithelium to be capable of active absorption.

The morphological findings are correlated with the herbivorous habit of the vole and compared with observations in the rabbit and other rodents.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Behmann, H.: Vergleichend- und funktionell-anatomische Untersuchungen am Caecum und Colon myomorpher Nagetiere. Z. Wiss. Zool. 186, 173–294 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Björnhag, G.: Separation and delay of contents in the rabbit colon. Swedish J. Agr. Res. 2, 125–136 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bond, J.H., Levitt, M.D.: Fate of soluble carbohydrate in the colon of rats and man. J. Clin. Invest. 57, 1158–1164 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Davenport, H.W.: Physiology of the digestive tract. Chicago: Year Book Medical 1971

    Google Scholar 

  • Davis, C.P., Mulcahy, D., Takeuchi, A., Savage, D.C.: Location and description of spiral-shaped microorganisms in the normal rat caecum. Infect. Immun. 6, 184–192 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Eberhard, I.H., McNamara, J., Pearse, R.J., Southwell, I.A.: Ingestion and excretion of Eucalyptus punctata D.C. and it essential oil in the koala, Phascolarctos cinereus (Goldfuss). Aust. J. Zool. 23, 169–179 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Gorgas, M.: Vergleichend-anatomische Untersuchungen am Magen-Darm-Kanal der Sciuromorpha, Hystricomorpha und Caviomorpha (Rodentia). Z. Wiss. Zool. 175, 237–404 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Henrikson, R.C.: Ultrastructural aspects of mouse cecal epithelium. Z. Zellforsch. 140, 445–449 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Janis, C.: The evolutionary strategy of the equidae and the origins of rumen and cecal digestion. Evolution 30, 757–774 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kostanecki, K.: Le caecum des vertébrés. Bull. intern. acad. polonaise, Classe sc. mathém. et naturelle. Série B. Cracovie, No. Supplémentaire 1926

  • Langer, P.: Vergleichende Untersuchungen von taenierten Abschnitten des Verdauungstraktes bei Säugetieren. Verh. Anat. Ges. 1979a in press

  • Langer, P.: Functional anatomy of taenia, haustra, and semilunar folds in the digestive tract of mammals. Anat. Embryol. submitted for publication 1979b

  • Leach, W.D., Lee, A., Stubbs, R.P.: Localisation of bacteria in the gastrointestinal trac: a possible explanation of intestinal spirochaetosis. Infect. Immun. 7, 961–972 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Leng, E.: Absorption of inorganic ions and volatile fatty acids in the rabbit caecum. Br. J. Nutr. 40, 509–519 (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  • Loeschke, K.: Intestinale Adaptation der Elektrolyt- und Wasserresorption. Fortschr. Med. 93, 1613–1615 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • McKenzie, R.A.: The caecum of the koala, Phascolarctos cinereus: Light, scanning and transmission electron microscopic observations on its epithelium and flora. Aust. J. Zool. 26, 249–256 (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  • Mitchell, C.: On the intestinal tract of mammals. Trans. Zool. Soc. Lond. (XVII 1903–1906), 437–536 (1905)

  • Möller, W.: Paraffinum liquidum in einer Intermediumkombination für die Paraffineinbettung. Mikroskopie (Wien) 32, 100–104 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Mottaz, P., Worbe, J.-F.: Transfert des acides gras volatils dans la paroi du caecum isolé de rat. Comptes rend. Séances Soc. Biol. 171, 375–380 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • Murray, R.M., Marsh, H., Heinsohn, G.E., Spain, A.V.: The role of the midgut caecum and large intestine in the digestion of sea grasses by the dudong (Mammalia: Sirenia). Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 56 A, 7–10 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • Muthmann, E.: Beiträge zur vergleichenden Anatomie des Blinddarmes und der lymphoiden Organe des Darmkanals bei Säugetieren und Vögeln. Anat. Hefte I, Abt. 144, 48, 4–114 (1913)

    Google Scholar 

  • Owen, R.L., Nemanic, P.: Antigen processing structures of the mammalian intestinal tract: an SEM study of lymphoepithelial organs. Scanning Electron Microscopy Vol. II SEM Inc. AMF O'Hare, III. 60666 USA, 1978

    Google Scholar 

  • Parker, D.: The measurement of production rates of volatile fatty acids in the caecum of the conscious rabbit. Br. J. Nutr. 36, 61–70 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Pfeiffer, C.J., Rowden, G., Weibel, J.: Gastrointestinal Ultrastructure. Georg Theime Publ. Stuttgart & Igaku Shoin Ltd. Tokyo, 1975

    Google Scholar 

  • Rayssiguier, Y., Remesy, C.: Magnesium absorption in the caecum of rats related to volatile fatty acids production. Ann. Rech. Vét. 8, 105–110 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • Rérat, A.: Digestion and absorption of carbohydrates and nitrogenous matters in the hindgut of the omnivorous nonruminant animal. J. Anim. Sci. 46, 1808–1837 (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruckebusch, Y., Hörnicke, H.: Motility of the rabbit's colon and cecotrophy. Physiol. Behav. 18, 871–878 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • Savage, D.C., Dubos, R., Schaedler, R.W.: The gastrointestinal epithelium and its autochtonous bacterial flora. J. Exp. Med. 127, 97–110 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Schofield, G.C., Atkins, A.M.: Secretory immunoglobulin in columnar epithelial cells of the large intestine. J. Anat. (Lond.) 107, 491–504 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Snipes, R.L.: Limited fat absorption in the large intestine of mice. A morphological study. Acta Anat. 99, 435–439 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • Snipes, R.L.: Anatomy of the rabbit cecum. Anat. Embryol. 155, 57–80 (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  • Tomasi, T.B.: Secretory immunoglobulins, New Engl. J. Med. 287, 500–506 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Toner, P.G., Carr, K.E., Wyburn, G.M.: The Digestive System — an Ultrastructural Atlas and Review. Butterworths, London, 1971

    Google Scholar 

  • Vorontsov, N.N.: The ways of food specialization and evolution of the alimentary system in Muroidea. Symp. Ther. Proc. Internat. Symp. Meth. Mammal. Invest. Brno (1960) Prag 360–377

  • Vorontsov, N.N.: Die Ungleichmäßigkeit der Tempi der Umgestaltung der Organe und das Prinzip der Kompensation der Funktionen. Zool. J. 9, 1289–1305 (1963)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wille, K.-H.: Über die Schleimhautoberfläche des Blinddarmes einiger Haussäuger. Eine rasterelektronenmikroskopische Untersuchung. Zbl. Vet. Med. C4, 265–273 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Zentrum für Anatomie und Cytobiologie, Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen, Aulweg 123, D-6300, Giessen, Federal Republic of Germany

    Robert L. Snipes

Authors
  1. Robert L. Snipes
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Snipes, R.L. Anatomy of the cecum of the vole, Microtus agrestis . Anat Embryol 157, 181–203 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00305159

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00305159

Key words

Search

Navigation