Cat Digestive System

I. Digestive structures in the head:

A. Oral cavity

B. Teeth (cat dental formula FYI): 3/3i; 1/1c; 3/2p; 1/1m

C. Oropharynx

D. Parotid gland (lies on top of the masseter muscle in front of the ear)

E. Parotid duct

F. Submandibular gland

G. Tongue

H. Papillae of the tongue; there are two types that are easy to see on the cat tongue:

1. filiform

2. foliate

I. Lingual frenulum

J. Hard palate

K. Soft palate

II. Cervical region and thoracic cavity:

A. Esophagus

III. Abdominopelvic cavity structures:

A. Membranes

1. Parietal peritoneum

2. Visceral peritoneum

3. Greater omentum

4. Lesser omentum

5. Gastrosplenic ligament – thick portion of greater omentum between stomach and spleen

6. Mesentery

B. Liver (produces bile)

1. Falciform ligament

2. Round ligament - remnant of the umbilical vein

C. Gallbladder (bile storage)

1. Cystic duct

2. Common hepatic duct (comes from the liver)

3. Common bile duct (forms from merging of cystic and common hepatic ducts; sends bile to the small intestine)

D. Stomach

1. Cardiac region

2. Fundus

3. Body

4. Pyloric region

5. Pyloric sphincter

6. Rugae

E. Small intestine

1. Duodenum (approximate location)

2. Jejunum (approximate location)

3. Ileum (approximate location)

F. Large Intestine

1. Cecum

2. Ileocecal valve

3. Ascending colon

4. Transverse colon

5. Descending colon

6. Rectum (not seen until pelvic cavity is opened)

7. Anus

G. Pancreas

H. Spleen (not a digestive organ; belongs to lymphatic and cardiovascular systems)

Notes:

Last Updated 12/31/06