DIGESTIVE SYSTEM OF THE SHEEP 



409 



the form of low thick ridges, and bear long, pointed, horny papillae. 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 pj'lorus 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 laminae 

 of the omasum are large, pointed, horny papilhe. The number of lamina? is less 

 than in the ox. 



The general arrangement of the intestine is like that of the ox. The small 



Posterior vena 

 cava 



Portal rein 



Hepatic artery 



Omasal impres- 

 sion 



Lesser omeiition 



Reticular impres- 

 sion 



Renal impression 



Caudate lobe 



Common bile-duct 



Ci/stic duct 



Gall-bladder 



Umbilical 

 fissure 



Abomasal 

 impression 



Fig. 305. — Liver of Sheep, \ i.-i kkal Surface; Hardened in situ. 



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 caecum 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 caecum, but diminishes to about the width of 

 the small intestine. 



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 



