intestine

(in-tes’tin),a.andn. [= F. in test in = Sp. Pg. It. in test i no, intestine mammals, in many of which, also, the cecum is of comparatively enormous extent. Thus, in birds, in which there are commonly a pair of ceeca, the site of these organs marks the only distinction between the preceding and succeeding portions of the tube. In many lower vertebrates, as fishes, ceca may be very numerous, and situated near the pylorus. In all vertebrates the cavity of the intestine is primitively continuous with that of the umbilical vesicle, and in those which have an allantois with the cavity of that organ. In its simplest po ible form the intestine represents the interior of a gastrula. See cut under gastrula. The intestines appear to be affected with albuminoid disease next in frequency to the spleen, liver, kidneys, and lymphatic glands. Quain, Med. Dict., p. 750. Clavate intestine. See clavatel.— Thick intestine, in certain insects, a distention of the posterior end of the ileum, forming a large blind sac which is turned back toward the ventriculus. It is thickened, and ridged on the inner surface. Its function appears to be to subject the food to a second digestion before it is pa ed out of 2 the body. | hs