Prenatal, Gross Anatomical and Topographical Studies on the Small Intestine of the Dromedary Camel (Camelus dromedarius)

Abstract

The primary functions of the small intestine are digestion and absorption. This investigation aimed to study the gross anatomical structure and topography of camel small intestine including the duodenum, jejunum and ileum in first trimester, second trimester and third trimester. It was conducted on fifteen specimens of camel foeti of both sexes in different trimesters; the specimens were fresh and fixed in formalin (10%) to study the gross features in all trimesters and topography of small intestine especially in third trimester. Grossly the fetal small intestine was divided into three parts duodenum, jejunum and ileum and the duodenum was divided into three parts; ampulla, descending and ascending duodenum. The small intestinal tube was situated mainly in the right side and in the caudal left part of the abdominal cavity. During the third trimester, the ampulla was the widest portion of the small intestine and slender-shaped. The mucosa of the ampulla was pink to grayish in colour possessing circular and longitudinal folds. The descending and ascending parts were convoluted, grayish to white in colour, consisted long and thin parts; the mucosa was pink in colour but whitish during the first trimester and contained longitudinal folds during the second and the third trimesters. The mucosa of jejunum was pink to grayish in colour containing circular folds during the third trimester but was absent during the second trimester. The mucosa of ileum was pink in colour and consisted of dome shaped the Peyers' Patches which were projected into the lumen. Whereas they were absent during the first trimester. This study has observed the gross features of parts of small intestine of foeti in all trimesters and situation of these parts in third trimester. In conclusion the topographical results revealed the small intestine in the abdominal cavity mainly lodged on the right side and extended towards the left side caudally and grossly consisted of different anatomical features including all trimesters.