Part 44

The =mucous membrane= of the first three divisions is destitute of glands, and is covered with a thick, stratified, squamous epithelium; the superficial part of the latter is horny, and is shed in large patches in the rumen and omasum. The =corium= (Tunica propria) is papillated. The mucous membrane of the abomasum is glandular, and corresponds to that of the right sac of the stomach of the horse. The short fundus glands occur in that part which presents the large folds, while the long pyloric glands are found in the remainder, except about the omaso-abomasal orifice, where cardiac glands occur. The mucosa of the fundus gland region is very thin as compared with that of the horse. There is a round prominence on the pyloric valve.

THE INTESTINE

The intestine of the ox lies almost entirely to the right of the median plane, chiefly in contact with the right face of the rumen. It is attached to the sublumbar region by a common mesentery.

The =small intestine= has an average length of about 130 feet (ca. 40 m.) and a diameter of about two inches (ca. 5 to 6 cm.).

The =duodenum= is about three or four feet (ca. 1 m.) in length. It passes forward to the visceral surface of the liver; here it forms, ventral to the right kidney, an =S=-shaped curve. Thence it runs backward almost to the external angle of the ilium, where it turns on itself, passes forward alongside of the terminal part of the colon, and joins the mesenteric part (jejunum) under the right kidney. It is attached to the liver by the lesser omentum, to the abomasum by the great omentum, and to the terminal part of the colon. The =bile-duct= opens in the ventral part of the =S=-shaped curve, about two feet (ca. 60 cm.) from the pylorus. The =pancreatic duct= opens about a foot (ca. 30 cm.) further back.

The remainder of the small intestine is arranged in numerous very close coils, in contact chiefly with the right face of the ventral sac of the rumen, forming a sort of festoon at the edge of the mesentery. It is not subject to much variation in position, but a few coils may find their way behind the blind sacs of the rumen to the left side.

[Illustration:

FIG. 293.—PEYER’S PATCHES OF SMALL INTESTINE OF OX (about ⅓ natural size). ]

The orifices of the pancreatic duct and the bile-duct are on papillæ, no diverticulum being present. There are permanent transverse folds of the mucous membrane (Plicæ circulares). Duodenal glands (of Brunner) occur in the first fifteen feet or more (4 to 5 m.), intestinal glands throughout. Peyer’s patches are larger and more distinct than in the horse, and vary greatly in size and number; in adult cattle there are eighteen to forty; in calves, twenty to fifty-eight. They usually have the form of narrow bands. Close to the ileo-cæcal valve there is always a patch, and in most cases there is also a patch on the cæcal side of the valve.

The =large intestine= is much smaller in caliber than that of the horse, has no bands, and is not sacculated. Most of it is situated between the layers of the common mesentery.

The =cæcum= is about 20 to 30 inches (ca. 50 to 60 cm.) long, 4 to 5 inches (ca. 10 to 12 cm.) wide, and has a capacity of about 2½ gallons (ca. 9 to 10 liters). It begins opposite the lower part of the eleventh rib, and extends upward and backward against the right flank; its rounded blind end is free, and lies near or in the pelvic inlet.

[Illustration:

FIG. 294.—PROJECTION OF VISCERA OF BULL ON BODY-WALL, RIGHT SIDE.

_P._, Pylorus; _G.b._, gall-bladder; _R.K._, right kidney; _L.K._, left kidney; _P._, (above duodenum) pancreas; _Bl._, urinary bladder; _V.s._, vesicula seminalis; _B.g._, bulbo-urethral (Cowper’s) gland. Costal attachment and median line of diaphragm are indicated by dotted lines. ]

[Illustration:

FIG. 295.—LIVER OF OX, PARIETAL SURFACE; HARDENED _in situ_. ]

The =colon= is about 35 feet (ca. 10 m.) long; its diameter is at first about the same as that of the cæcum, but diminishes to about two inches (ca. 5 cm.). Its capacity is about 6 to 8 gallons (ca. 25 to 30 liters). With the exception of its first and terminal parts, it is arranged in double elliptical coils between the layers of the mesentery; the adjacent parts are therefore alternately centripetal and centrifugal (Gyri centripetales et centrifugales). The first part (Ansa proximalis) is marked off from the cæcum only by the ileo-cæcal opening; it forms an =S=-shaped curve and is continued by the spiral part (Ansa spiralis). The coils of this are attached to each other by connective tissue, and are best seen from the inner side. The bowel gradually diminishes in caliber, and the terminal part (Ansa distalis) leaves the spiral mass, passes forward to the great mesenteric artery and turns backward between the duodenum and the initial sigmoid part. From the ventral surface of the right kidney it passes backward, forms an =S=-shaped curve near the pelvic inlet, and joins the rectum; this part is attached to the sublumbar muscles by a short mesentery, and is also attached to the dorsal part of the duodenum.

The =rectum= is somewhat shorter than that of the horse, and is usually covered with peritoneum as far back as the first coccygeal vertebra. The retroperitoneal part is surrounded by a quantity of fat. The anus is not prominent.

[Illustration:

FIG. 296.—LIVER OF OX, LEFT MARGINAL VIEW; HARDENED _in situ_. ]

The =serous coat= is of course absent on the adherent surfaces of the spiral part of the colon. There is a large amount of fat in the mesentery. The =longitudinal muscular coat= is evenly distributed, consequently there is no sacculation of the bowel. There is a valvular mucous fold at the ileo-cæcal orifice. A Peyer’s patch occurs in the beginning of the cæcum and one in the first part of the colon.

THE LIVER

The liver lies almost entirely to the right of the median plane. Its long axis is directed obliquely downward and forward, about parallel with the median plane, and corresponds to the curvature of the right portion of the diaphragm. It is less extensive, but thicker than that of the horse. Its average weight is about 10 to 12 pounds (ca. 4.5 to 5.5 kg.).

In small subjects the weight (according to Schmaltz) varies from 6½ to 10 pounds (ca. 3 to 4.5 kg.), in large subjects from 11 to 13 pounds (ca. 5 to 6 kg.). According to Schneider, the average weight is about 13 pounds (ca. 6 kg.)—a little over 1 per cent. of the live weight and about 2 per cent. of the dressed carcass.

When hardened _in situ_, its configuration adapts it accurately to the structures with which it is in contact.

The =parietal surface= is convex and is for the most part applied to the right part of the diaphragm, but a small part of it is in direct contact with the last two ribs and with the flank at the lumbo-costal angle. It faces upward, forward, and to the right.

The curvature of the parietal surface is not regular. It is marked, except in its ventral part, by a blunt oblique ridge which corresponds to the basal border of the right lung. This prominence divides the surface into two areas. Of these, the external one is directed outward, is only slightly convex, and often shows impressions of the last three ribs. The inner area presents a depression produced by the right crus of the diaphragm, and otherwise is regularly convex and adapted to the tendinous center and sternal portion of the diaphragm. The falciform ligament is attached to the surface from the œsophageal notch to the umbilical fissure.

[Illustration:

FIG. 297.—LIVER OF YOUNG OX, VISCERAL SURFACE; HARDENED _in situ_. ]

The =visceral surface= is concave and very irregular; it presents impressions of the chief organs which are in contact with it—the omasum and reticulum. It is also related to the pancreas and duodenum.

The following markings are quite distinct on the visceral surface of well hardened specimens: (1) The omasal impression (Impressio omasica) is a deep central cavity below the portal fissure. (2) The reticular impression (Impressio reticularis) is a smaller marginal depression below the œsophageal notch and the inner part of the preceding, from which it is separated by a rounded ridge. (3) The abomasal impression (Impressio abomasica), present only in the calf, is produced by the anterior part of the abomasum. It lies along the ventral part of the surface, and is separated by ridges from the preceding impressions. It disappears as the omasum and reticulum increase in size and displace the abomasum from contact with the liver. (4) Shallow grooves for the =S=-shaped portion of the duodenum (Impressio duodenalis) may be found above and external to the portal fissure. (5) The fossa of the gall-bladder (Fossa vesicæ felleæ) is distinct when that organ is full. In the calf the omasal impression is small, and the abomasal one large in correspondence with the relative sizes of these two sacs.

The =portal fissure= is a well defined rounded depression, situated dorsal to the omasal impression. It contains, besides the vessels and duct, several large hepatic lymph glands. Above and external to it a part of the pancreas is attached.

[Illustration:

FIG. 298.—LINE DRAWING OF LIVER OF OX, VISCERAL SURFACE OF SOFT SPECIMEN.

_L.g._, Hepatic lymph glands at portal fissure. ]

The =dorsal border= is short and thick; it extends backward a short distance beyond the upper part of the last rib. It presents the large, thick, quadrilateral =caudate lobe=, and a deep depression for the right kidney and adrenal.

The =ventral border= is short and thin and has no interlobar incisures.

The =right= (or external) =border= is marked by a small umbilical fissure, in which the ligamentum teres is attached in the young subject.

The =left border= presents the œsophageal notch below its middle. Above this it is practically median in position, and lodges the posterior vena cava, which is partially embedded in the gland. Below the notch the border extends an inch or two (ca. 2.5 to 5 cm.) to the left of the median plane opposite the ventral third of the sixth rib.

There is no left lateral ligament. The falciform ligament is usually present, but the ligamentum teres is found only in young subjects. The lesser omentum leaves the liver along a line extending from the œsophageal notch to the portal fissure. The only distinct lobe in the adult is the caudate (Processus caudatus).

[Illustration:

FIG. 299.—PANCREAS OF OX, GASTRO-INTESTINAL SURFACE, WITH RELATED ORGANS.

The position of some of the larger lymph glands (_l.g._) is indicated by dotted line; also the intraglandular course of the pancreatic duct. Probe is passed through epiploic foramen (of Winslow). ]

A =gall-bladder= (Vesica fellea) is present. This is a pear-shaped sac, four to six inches (ca. 10 to 15 cm.) long, which lies partly on the visceral surface of the liver (to which it is attached), but largely on the abdominal wall at the lower part of the eleventh or twelfth intercostal space. It may be regarded as a diverticulum of the bile-duct, enlarged to form a reservoir for the bile. Its neck is continued by the =cystic duct= (Ductus cysticus), which joins the hepatic duct at an acute angle just outside of the portal fissure, to form with it the bile-duct (Ductus choledochus). The latter is short and enters the second bend of the =S=-shaped curve of the duodenum, _i. e._, about two feet (ca. 60 cm.) from the pylorus. Several small ducts (Ductus hepato-cystici) open directly into the gall-bladder.

In the new-born calf the liver is relatively much larger than in the adult. The visceral surface presents, below the portal fissure, a large rounded eminence, which is caused by the presence in the underlying gland substance of a large venous sinus into which the umbilical and portal veins empty. A large vessel, the =ductus venosus=, leads from this sinus directly to the posterior vena cava. Just external to this elevation is a small but distinct lobe about two inches long (Processus papillaris?). The umbilical fissure is deep and partially divides the gland into two chief lobes.

THE PANCREAS

The pancreas of the ox is irregularly quadrilateral in form, and lies almost entirely to the right of the median plane. Its weight is about the same as that of the horse. Its dorsal surface is related to the crura of the diaphragm, the cœliac and anterior mesenteric arteries, and the liver. It is attached to the liver at and external to the portal fissure, and to the crura of the diaphragm. Between these adhesions it is free and forms the ventral wall of the epiploic foramen (of Winslow). On the right side it extends backward beyond the caudate lobe of the liver between the layers of the mesoduodenum; here it is in contact with the upper part of the flank at the lumbo-costal angle, and is related above to the right kidney and by its ventro-lateral border to the ventral part of the duodenum. The gastro-intestinal or ventral surface is in contact with the dorsal curvature of the rumen and the intestine. The portal vein passes through the gland. The left extremity is small; the right or posterior is wide and thin and is often divided into two branches. The duct leaves the posterior part of the ventro-lateral (or right) border and enters the duodenum about twelve inches (ca. 30 cm.) further back than the bile-duct.

[Illustration:

FIG. 300.—SPLEEN OF OX; VISCERAL SURFACE. ]

THE SPLEEN

The spleen has an elongated, elliptical outline, both extremities being thin, rounded, and similar in size.

Its average weight is about 30 ounces (ca. 800 to 900 gm.), or about ⅙ per cent. of the body-weight. Its length is about 16 to 20 inches (ca. 40 to 50 cm.), its width about 5 to 6 inches (ca. 12 to 15 cm.), and in the middle its thickness is about an inch (ca. 2 to 3 cm.).

The =dorsal extremity= lies under the upper ends of the last two ribs; the =ventral extremity= is usually opposite the seventh or eighth rib, about a handbreadth above its junction with the cartilage. The =parietal surface= is convex, and is related to the diaphragm. The =visceral surface= is concave, and is related chiefly to the left face of the rumen, but also usually to a narrow adjacent area of the reticulum. The dorsal part is attached to the left crus of the diaphragm and the left surface of the rumen by peritoneum and connective tissue; the ventral part is free. The hilus is situated on the dorsal third of the visceral surface, near the anterior border.

About one-half of the visceral surface of the spleen is attached directly to the rumen and is not covered by peritoneum; the line of reflection of the latter crosses the surface obliquely, from the upper part of the posterior border to the anterior border a little below the middle. Similarly there is a narrow uncovered area on the upper part of the parietal surface along the anterior border. The hilus is not a groove, but a simple depression. When hardened _in situ_, the organ is seen to be somewhat twisted, so that the upper part of the parietal surface faces upward and forward, while below it is directed outward.

DIGESTIVE SYSTEM OF THE SHEEP

The =lips= are thin and mobile; the upper one is marked by a very distinct philtrum, and otherwise is not bare.

The anterior part of the =hard palate= is prominent and smooth; on the posterior part of this area there are two narrow depressions in the form of a =V=, at the deep anterior ends of which the naso-palatine ducts open. The ridges of the palate are irregular and their edges are smooth. The posterior third or rather more of the palate is not ridged and presents numerous orifices of ducts of the palatine glands. The mucous membrane is often more or less pigmented.

The mucous membrane of the =cheeks= is covered with large papillæ, many of which are long and sharp-pointed, while others are short and blunt. There is also a series of conical papillæ on the floor of the mouth under the lateral part of the tongue.

The =tongue= resembles that of the ox in form, but the tip is comparatively smooth; the papillæ here are very numerous, but short and blunt. This difference is in conformity with the dissimilarity in the mode of prehension. The prominence of the dorsum is commonly not so pronounced nor so sharply marked off in front as in the ox. The root is smooth. The mucous membrane of the dorsum is often pigmented in spots.

The dental formula is the same as that of the ox. The =incisor teeth= form a narrow and strongly curved arch. The crowns are long and narrow; their labial surfaces are strongly convex and end at a sharp edge which is used in cropping the grass. The roots are more firmly embedded than in the ox.

The =cheek teeth= resemble those of the ox. There is a thinner layer of cement, which is usually black.

The average periods of eruption of the teeth are indicated in the subjoined table.

TEETH TEMPORARY PERMANENT I_{1}. At birth or first 1 to 1½ years week I_{2} First or second week 1½ to 2 years I_{3} Second or third week 2½ to 3 years I_{4} Third or fourth week 3½ to 4 years ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── P_{1} 2 to 6 weeks. 1½ to 2 years P_{2} „ „ P_{3} „ „ ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── M_{1} 3 months (lower), 5 months (upper) M_{2} 9 to 12 months M_{3} 1½ to 2 years

[Illustration:

FIG. 301.—STOMACH OF SHEEP, LEFT VIEW.

From photograph of specimen hardened _in situ_. The reticulum is somewhat contracted. Arrow points to posterior furrow between blind sacs. ]

[Illustration:

FIG. 302.—STOMACH OF SHEEP, RIGHT VIEW.

From photograph of specimen hardened _in situ_. Dotted line indicates position of spleen. ]

The =salivary glands= resemble those of the ox in general, but the parotid duct crosses the surface of the masseter muscle, and opens opposite the third or fourth cheek tooth.

The =tonsil= is bean-shaped and about half an inch (ca. 12 mm.) in length. It does not project into the fauces. The mucous membrane of the latter presents two deep and very narrow tonsillar sinuses on either side.

[Illustration:

FIG. 303.—CROSS-SECTION OF SHEEP, THROUGH NINTH THORACIC VERTEBRA, ANTERIOR VIEW.

_1_, Cardiac orifice; _2_, œsophageal groove; _3_, rumino-reticular orifice; _4_, rumino-reticular fold; _5_, dorsal sac of rumen; _6_, body of ninth thoracic vertebra; _7_, vena hemiazygos; _8_, aorta; _9_, posterior mediastinal lymph gland; _10_, _10_, crura of diaphragm; _11_, posterior vena cava; _12_, portal vein; _R.l._, right lung; _L.l._, left lung; _S_, spleen (cut very obliquely); _L_, liver; _R_, reticulum (posterior wall). Arrow points to reticulo-omasal orifice. ]

The fornix of the =pharynx= presents a median plicated fold which is a continuation of the septum nasi. The pharyngeal orifice of the Eustachian tube has the form of a crescentic slit, placed about on a level with the inferior nasal meatus. There are two large lymph glands and a number of hæmolymph glands above the pharynx.

The =œsophagus= has a lumen of about an inch when moderately distended; otherwise it resembles that of the ox.

[Illustration:

FIG. 304.—ABDOMINAL VISCERA OF SHEEP, SUPERFICIAL VENTRAL VIEW. ]

The =stomach= is like that of the ox in its general arrangement. Its average capacity is about four gallons (ca. 15 liters). The =cardiac opening= is opposite the middle of the eighth intercostal space; it is just to the left of the median plane and about two to three inches (ca. 5 to 7 cm.) below the vertebral column. The ventral sac of the =rumen= is relatively larger and extends further to the right of the median plane than in the ox. There are no coronary pillars in the dorsal sac, but its upper part is papillated. The papillæ of the rumen are relatively =large= and somewhat tongue-like; the largest are about a fourth of an inch (ca. 6 mm.) in length. The =reticulum= is relatively larger than in the ox. Its ventral part curves more backward and less to the right than in the ox. The parietal surface extends forward as far as the sixth rib or intercostal space, and is related to the diaphragm and liver. The fundus lies on the sternal part of the diaphragm and in contact with the abomasum. The =œsophageal groove= is disposed much like that of the ox, and is about four to five inches (ca. 8 to 10 cm.) long. The =omasum= is much smaller than the reticulum, its capacity being only about one pint. It is oval and compressed laterally. It is situated almost entirely to the right of the median plane, opposite to the ninth and tenth ribs, higher than in the ox, and has no contact with the abdominal wall. It is related on the right to the liver and gall-bladder, on the left to the rumen, and below to the abomasum. The laminæ are less numerous than in the ox; in the neck which connects the omasum with the reticulum they have the form of low thick ridges, and bear long, pointed, horny papillæ. The =abomasum= is relatively larger and longer than in the ox. Its capacity is about twice that of the reticulum and averages about two quarts (ca. 1.75 to 2 liters). The blind anterior end lies almost centrally in the xiphoid region, in relation to the liver and reticulum. Its body extends backward a little below and almost parallel with the right costal arch. The pylorus is opposite the ventral end of the eleventh or twelfth intercostal space. The cells of the reticulum are much shallower than in the ox. At the reticulo-omasal opening and on the adjacent part of the laminæ of the omasum are large, pointed, horny papillæ. The number of laminæ is less than in the ox.

The general arrangement of the =intestine= is like that of the ox. The =small intestine= is about 80 feet (ca. 24 to 25 m.) long; its average diameter is about an inch (ca. 2 to 3 cm.), the caliber increasing in its terminal part, where a very extensive Peyer’s patch is found. The =cæcum= is about 10 to 12 inches (ca. 25 to 30 cm.) long, 2 inches (ca. 5 cm.) wide, and has a capacity of about a quart (ca. 1 liter). The =colon= is about 15 feet (ca. 4 to 5 m.) long. Its caliber is at first about the same as that of the cæcum, but diminishes to about the width of the small intestine.

[Illustration:

FIG. 305.—LIVER OF SHEEP, VISCERAL SURFACE; HARDENED _in situ_. ]

The =liver= weighs about 20 to 25 ounces (ca. 550 to 700 gm.). It lies entirely to the right of the median plane. The parietal surface is related almost exclusively to the right part of the diaphragm. The visceral surface presents extensive reticular and abomasal impressions, and a small omasal impression internal to the portal fissure. The umbilical fissure is deep and partially divides the gland into two chief lobes. The caudate lobe is prismatic and blunt-pointed. The neck of the gall-bladder is long. The bile-duct joins the pancreatic duct to form a =common duct= (Ductus choledochus communis) which opens into the duodenum about one foot (ca. 30 cm.) from the pylorus.

The =pancreas= is arranged as in the ox. Its duct unites with the bile-duct.