DIGESTIVE SYSTEM OP THE SHEEP 



475 



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 httle ventral to and almost parallel 

 with the right costal arch. The pylorus is usually opposite the ventral end 

 of the eleventh or twelfth intercostal space. At the reticulo-omasal open- 

 ing and on the adjacent part of the laminae of the omasum are large, pointed, 

 horny papillae. 



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



Fig. 408. — Abdominal Viscera of Sheep; Superficial Ventral View. 



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. Duodenal glands occur for a distance of two feet or more 

 (ca. 60-70 cm.) beyond the pylorus. The caecum is about 10 inches (ca. 25 cm.) 

 long, 2 inches (ca. 5 cm.) wide, and has a capacity of about a quart (ca. 1 liter) ; 

 only about two inches (ca. 5 cm.) of it is free. The colon is about 15 feet (ca. 4 to 

 5 m.) long. Its caliber is at first about the same as that of the csecum, but dimin- 

 ishes to about the width of the small intestine. 



The liver weighs about 20 to 25 ounces (ca. 550 to 700 gm.). It lies entirely 



