Morphological tools to evaluate the digestory apparatus in rocky cavy (Kerodon rupestris)

• Published in: Microscopy research and technique Vol. 82; no. 6; pp. 696 - 708
• Main Authors: Aro, Marian Mazeto, Santos, Amilton Cesar, Silveira, Erick Eduardo, Silva Lisboa Neto, Antônio Francisco, Oliveira, Moacir Franco, Assis Neto, Antônio Chaves
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken, USA John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01.06.2019; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Anus; Bile ducts; Caviidae; Cecum; Colon; Crypts; Dentition; developed cecum; Duodenum; eating habits; Esophagus; Gallbladder; Goblet cells; Hepatic artery; Hepatocytes; herbivores; Large intestine; Light microscopy; Liver; Mechanical properties; Microscopy; Morphology; Mucosa; Oral cavity; Organs; Pancreas; Papillae; Rectum; Rocks; Rodents; Salivary glands; Scanning electron microscopy; Sebaceous glands; Small intestine; Stomach; Taste buds; Teeth; eating habits; herbivores; developed cecum; rodents; Caviidae
• ISSN: 1059-910X; 1097-0029
• DOI: 10.1002/jemt.23216

This research describes for the first time the complete morphology of the digestive apparatus of rock cavies. Dissection, light microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy were performed. The oral cavity has: the hard palate without palatine wrinkles and the soft palate; the tongue composed by striated musculature, with presence of vallate, foliated, and fungiform papillae with taste buds and filiform papillae with mechanical function; and, 20 teeth of the hypsodonts type. Esophagus, stomach, small intestine (duodenum, jejunum, and ileum), and the large intestine (cecum, colon, and rectum) are found. The anus is present at the end of the alimentary channel. Organs of digestive tube are composed by four tunics: mucosa, submucosa, muscular, and serosa. The duodenum, jejunum and ileum have villi. Jejunum, ileum and cecum present Lieberkühn crypts. The cecum has mucous glands. Colon and rectum are folded and have goblet cells. Anus presents sebaceous glands. As associated glands it is found the liver with six lobes and gallbladder; a lobulated pancreas; and a pair of each major salivary gland (parotid, mandibular, and sublingual). Parotid glands have serous acini and mandibular and sublingual glands have mucous acini. Pancreas has adenomers. The liver has hepatocytes and portal vein, hepatic artery, and bile duct (portal triad), separated by sinusoids. It is concluded that the digestive apparatus of the rock cavy has variations in the dentition, lingual papillae, and acini of the salivary glands when compared to other rodents. Other variations refer to the well‐developed cecum characteristic of herbivorous behavior. Rock cavies have 20 teeth of hypsodont type. Rock cavies have well‐developed cecum. Tongue of rock cavies have filiform, fungiform, vallate and foliated papillae.