caecum
Gut's dead end
The caecum is a pouch-like structure at the junction of the small and large intestines, where the appendix attaches in humans.
In herbivores, it's often enlarged to help digest plant material through bacterial fermentation.
The spelling cecum is standard in American English.
Plural: caeca or caecums.
Supplementary section after main text
- colonLarge intestine section
- ileumLast small intestine segment
- large intestineLower digestive tract portion
- small intestineDigestive absorption organ
vermiform · cecal · abdomen · peritoneum · viscera · mesentery · bowel · ascending colon
Microbial sugar conversion
- absorptionProcess of taking in
- cellulosePlant wall polysaccharide
- fiberPlant-based digestive aid
- chymePartially digested stomach contents
breakdown · enzymes · nutrients · water absorption · hindgut · volatile fatty acids · herbivore · roughage
Intestinal microbial community
- intestinal floraDigestive system's microbial community
- microbiotaResident microscopic organisms
- bacteriaNucleus-free single-celled organisms
- fermentationMicrobial sugar conversion
symbiosis · gut health · microbial · probiotics · colonization · anaerobic · commensals · enterobacteria
Plant-only consumer
- rabbitLong-eared lagomorph
- horseDomesticated riding animal
- rodentGnawing mammal order
- ruminantMulti-stomached grazing mammal
hindgut fermenter · koala · guinea pig · foregut · avian · vestigial · evolutionary
Inflamed vestigial gut pouch
- biopsyTissue sample for diagnosis
- colonoscopyLarge intestine examination
- inflammationProtective tissue response
- perforationHole punched through something
diverticulitis · obstruction · imaging · CT scan · laparoscopy · surgical
appendix
Supplementary section after main text
- colonLarge intestine section
- ileumLast small intestine segment
- large intestineLower digestive tract portion
small intestine · vermiform · cecal · abdomen · peritoneum · viscera · mesentery · bowel · ascending colon · gut
fermentation
Microbial sugar conversion
- absorptionProcess of taking in
- cellulosePlant wall polysaccharide
- fiberPlant-based digestive aid
chyme · breakdown · enzymes · nutrients · water absorption · hindgut · volatile fatty acids · herbivore · roughage
gut flora
Intestinal microbial community
- intestinal floraDigestive system's microbial community
- microbiotaResident microscopic organisms
- bacteriaNucleus-free single-celled organisms
fermentation · symbiosis · gut health · microbial · probiotics · colonization · anaerobic · commensals · enterobacteria
herbivore
Plant-only consumer
ruminant · hindgut fermenter · koala · guinea pig · foregut · avian · vestigial · evolutionary
appendicitis
Inflamed vestigial gut pouch
- biopsyTissue sample for diagnosis
- colonoscopyLarge intestine examination
- inflammationProtective tissue response
perforation · diverticulitis · obstruction · imaging · CT scan · laparoscopy · surgical