|
Search over 100 encyclopedias and dictionaries: |
Research categories | Follow us on Twitter |
Research categories
View all topics in the newsView all reference sources at Encyclopedia.com |
|||
caecum
caecum A pouch in the alimentary canal of vertebrates between the small intestine and colon. The caecum (and its appendix) is large and highly developed in herbivorous animals (e.g. rabbits and cows), in which it contains a large population of bacteria essential for the breakdown of cellulose. In humans the caecum is a vestigial organ and is poorly developed.
|
|
|
Cite this article
"caecum." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "caecum." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-caecum.html "caecum." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-caecum.html |
|
caecum
caecum The first part of the large intestine, separated from the small intestine by the ileo‐colic sphincter. It is small in carnivorous animals and very large in herbivores, since it is involved in the digestion of cellulose. In omnivorous animals, including human beings, it is of intermediate size. See also gastro‐intestinal tract.
|
|
|
Cite this article
DAVID A. BENDER. "caecum." A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. DAVID A. BENDER. "caecum." A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O39-caecum.html DAVID A. BENDER. "caecum." A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition. 2005. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O39-caecum.html |
|
caecum
caecum Dilated pouch at the junction of the small and large intestines, terminating in the appendix. It has no known function in humans. In rabbits and horses, the caecum contains microorganisms which help to break down the cellulose cell-walls of the plants they eat.
|
|
|
Cite this article
"caecum." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "caecum." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-caecum.html "caecum." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-caecum.html |
|
caecum
caecum In the alimentary canal of vertebrates, a pouch which in some animals (e.g. Leporidae) contains bacterial populations involved in the digestion of cellulose. In humans the caecum is a vestigial organ and poorly developed.
|
|
|
Cite this article
MICHAEL ALLABY. "caecum." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL ALLABY. "caecum." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-caecum.html MICHAEL ALLABY. "caecum." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-caecum.html |
|
caecum
caecum (anat.) blind end of the first part of the large intestine. XVIII. — L. (intestinum) cæcum blind (gut), n. sg. of cæcus blind; tr. Gr. tuphlòn énteron.
|
|
|
Cite this article
T. F. HOAD. "caecum." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "caecum." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-caecum.html T. F. HOAD. "caecum." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-caecum.html |
|
caecum
caecum (see-kŭm) n. a blind-ended pouch at the junction of the small and large intestines, to which the vermiform appendix is attached.
—caecal adj. |
|
|
Cite this article
"caecum." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "caecum." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O62-caecum.html "caecum." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O62-caecum.html |
|