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Describe the digestive tract of a pig

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The pig’s digestive system mono gastric or non-ruminant. The mono gastric differs from a poly gastric or non-ruminant digestive system found in cattle and sheep.
The digestive tract of the pig has five main parts: the mouth, esophagus, stomach and small and large intestines. The mouth is where the food enters the digestive tract and where the mechanical breakdown of food begins. The teeth chew and grind food into smaller pieces. Saliva enzyme which starts the digestion of starch. The tongue helps by pushing the food toward s the esophagus. The esophagus is a tube which carries the food from the mouth to the stomach. A series of muscles contraction push the food towards the stomach. Swallowing is the first of these contractions. At the end of the esophagus is the cardiac valve, which prevents food from passing from the stomach back into the esophagus.
The stomach is the next part of the digestive tract. It is the reaction chamber where chemicals are added to the food. Certain cells along the stomach wall secrete hydrochloric acid and enzymes. These chemicals help break down food into small particles of carbohydrates, proteins and fats. Some particles re absorbed from the stomach into the blood system. Other particles which the stomach cannot absorb pass on to the small intestine through the pyloric valve.
The small intestine is a complex tube which lies in spiral, allowing it to fit in a small apace. Its wall has many tiny finger like projections known as villi, which increase the absorptive area of the intestine. The cells along the small intestines wall produce enzymes that aid digestion and absorb digested foods. At the first section of the small intestine secretions from the liver and pancreas are added. Secretions from the liver are stored in the gall blander and pass into the intestine through the bile duct. These bile secretions aid in the digestion of fats. Digestive juices from the pancreas pass through the pancreatic duct into the small intestine. These secretions contain enzymes that are vital to the digestion of fats, carbohydrates and proteins. Most food nutrients are absorbed in the second and third part of the small intestines, called the jejunum and the ileum. Undigested nutrients and secretions pass on to the large intestine through the ileoccal valve. A cecum is located at the beginning of the large intestine.
The last major part of the digestive tract is the large intestine. It is shorter but larger in diameter than the small intestine. Its main function is the absorption of water. The large intestine is a reservoir for waste materials that make up the feces. Some digestion takes place in the large intestine. Mucous is added to the remaining food in large intestine, which acts as a lubricant to make passage easier. Muscle contractions push food through the intestines. The terminal portion of the large intestines is called the rectum. The anus is an opening through which undigested food passes out of the body. Food that enters the mouth and is not digested or absorbed as it passes down the digestive tract is excreted through the anus as feces.

skilled writter answered the question on May 3, 2018 at 17:15

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Describe the digestive tract of a pig

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