Gross anatomy of the intestine and their peritonealfolds in the tucu - tucu (Ctenomys pearsoni)

ABSTRACT

The anatomy of the intestines and its mesenteries of Ctenomys pearsoni have not been described. In the presentstudy, ten adult Ctenomys pearsoni were studied using gross dissection. The small intestine was divided intoduodenum, jejunum and ileum as usual. The duodenum started at the pylorus with a cranial portion, whichdilated forming a duodenal ampulla. The ileum was very short and attached to the coiled cecum by means ofthe iliocecal fold. The ascending colon had one ansa with two parts, one proximal and one distal. Both partsof the ascending colon’s ansa were parallel to each other and joined by an apical flexure and the ascendingmesocolon. The descending duodenum was fixed to the proximal part of the ascending colon by a peritonealfold named accessory duodenocolic fold. The ascending duodenum was fixed by the duodenocolic fold to thedescending colon. This study indicates that there are minor differences in the divisions of the intestine andtheir peritoneal folds, as it usually happens when comparing other rodents.