VI 



THE URINARY ORGANS 



The urinary organs of the fowl consist of two 

 kidneys, each with a ureter, by which the urine 

 is conveyed to the cloaca. The three- or 

 four-lobed kidneys (Figs. 12 and 35) are closely 

 applied to the vertebral column, immediately 

 caudal to the lungs and dorsal to the large 

 intestine, and occupy the deep depressions 

 formed by the vertebral column and the ilia. 

 The organs are of brownish colour and of such 

 a soft consistence as to be readily torn duTing 

 the process of removal. From the medial 

 border of each springs a comparatively straight 

 and narrow ureter, which opens into the cloaca 

 medial to the deferent duct of the male or the 

 oviduct of the female. Within the substance 

 of the kidney each ureter is formed by the 

 union of several small branches. 



A microscopic section of the kidney shows 



64 



