The Digestive System

1. The Digestive System

2. 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.

3. Types of Digestive Tracts • Monogastric: one stomach • Ruminant: multiple chambers • Modified Monogastric: poultry/birds

4. Function of Digestive Tract • Provide nutrients to the body

5. Modified Monogastric Poultry/Birds

6. Mouth (beak) • No teeth – replaced by beak

7. Esophagus • The tube that connects the mouth with the rest of the body

8. 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

9. Proventriculus • True Stomach • Secretes enzymes • Passageway between crop and gizzard

10. 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

11. Small Intestine • Made up of two parts • duodenum • lower small intestine • Important to absorb nutrients

12. Ceca • Have no real function

13. Large Intestine • Additional absorption of water

14. Pancreas • Located in the center of the duodenal loop • Secretes pancreatic juice which neutralizes the enzymes secreted by the Proventriculus • Helps break down fat

15. Liver • Produces a dark green substance called bile • Bile is necessary for the absorption of fat • Bile is stored in the Gall Bladder

16. Cloaca • The end of three different tracts • digestive • reproductive • excretory