Bird, whole system (Gross, Low)

Structure List Tongue Pharynx Esophagus Crop Proventriculus Ventriculus (gizzard) Small intestine Liver Pancreas Ceca Colon Cloaca Testes Ductus Deferens

AVIAN DIGESTIVE TRACT. The digestive system can be considered as a continuous tubular tract from the mouth to the vent with two major accessory glands--the liver and pancreas. For convenience we divide the tract into recognizable segments (or organs) which include: the mouth (and tongue), the pharynx, the esophagus and crop, the proventriculus (true stomach), the ventriculus (gizzard), the small intestine, the ceca, the colon (large intestine) and the cloaca. The mucus-secreting glands of the mouth, pharynx and esophagus are important in moistening ingesta and lubricating this portion of the tract. The liver and pancreas produce secretions which are critical to digestion and are delivered into the cranial small intestine (duodenum) via ducts.