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caecum
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caecum

In the digestive system of animals, a blind-ending tube branching off from the first part of the large intestine, terminating in the appendix. It has no function in humans but is used for the digestion of cellulose by some grass-eating mammals.

The rabbit caecum and appendix contains millions of bacteria that produce cellulase, the enzyme necessary for the breakdown of cellulose to glucose. In order to be able to absorb nutrients released by the breakdown of cellulose, rabbits pass food twice down the intestine. They egest soft pellets which are then re-eaten. This is known as coprophagy.
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Mentioned in?  References in periodicals archive?   Hutchinson browser?   Full browser?
 
First, several living species, including certain lemurs, several rodents, and a type of flying squirrel, still have an appendix attached to a large cecum which is used in digestion.
Darwin wrongly called the appendix a biological 'remnant', say ... by Asian News International
The colon or the large intestine extends from the cecum to the rectum.
Colon ? Diseases of the Colon by Sharon Albright / Food/cooking/nutrition community
Colitis, rectal constipation and especially the use of laxative drugs greatly exaggerate this anti-peristaltic action and so increase the tendency to stasis in the cecum and the ascending part of the colon.
How to Combat Constipation by Bill Ronin / Health care industry community
 
 
 
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