The intestine of the ox lies almost entirely to the right of the median
plane, chiefly in contact with the right face of the rumen. It is
attached to the sublumbar region by a common mesentery.
The =small intestine= has an average length of about 130 feet (ca. 40
m.) and a diameter of about two inches (ca. 5 to 6 cm.).
The =duodenum= is about three or four feet (ca. 1 m.) in length. It
passes forward to the visceral surface of the liver; here it forms,
ventral to the right kidney, an =S=-shaped curve. Thence it runs
backward almost to the external angle of the ilium, where it turns on
itself, passes forward alongside of the terminal part of the colon, and
joins the mesenteric part (jejunum) under the right kidney. It is
attached to the liver by the lesser omentum, to the abomasum by the
great omentum, and to the terminal part of the colon. The =bile-duct=
opens in the ventral part of the =S=-shaped curve, about two feet (ca.
60 cm.) from the pylorus. The =pancreatic duct= opens about a foot (ca.
30 cm.) further back.
The remainder of the small intestine is arranged in numerous very close
coils, in contact chiefly with the right face of the ventral sac of the
rumen, forming a sort of festoon at the edge of the mesentery. It is not
subject to much variation in position, but a few coils may find their
way behind the blind sacs of the rumen to the left side.
[Illustration:
FIG. 293.—PEYER’S PATCHES OF SMALL INTESTINE OF OX (about ⅓ natural
size).
]
The orifices of the pancreatic duct and the bile-duct are on papillæ, no
diverticulum being present. There are permanent transverse folds of the
mucous membrane (Plicæ circulares). Duodenal glands (of Brunner) occur
in the first fifteen feet or more (4 to 5 m.), intestinal glands
throughout. Peyer’s patches are larger and more distinct than in the
horse, and vary greatly in size and number; in adult cattle there are
eighteen to forty; in calves, twenty to fifty-eight. They usually have
the form of narrow bands. Close to the ileo-cæcal valve there is always
a patch, and in most cases there is also a patch on the cæcal side of
the valve.
The =large intestine= is much smaller in caliber than that of the horse,
has no bands, and is not sacculated. Most of it is situated between the
layers of the common mesentery.
The =cæcum= is about 20 to 30 inches (ca. 50 to 60 cm.) long, 4 to 5
inches (ca. 10 to 12 cm.) wide, and has a capacity of about 2½ gallons
(ca. 9 to 10 liters). It begins opposite the lower part of the eleventh
rib, and extends upward and backward against the right flank; its
rounded blind end is free, and lies near or in the pelvic inlet.
[Illustration: