The stomach of the harbor porpoise Phocoena phocoena (L.)

The morphological and cytological characteristics of the stomach of the harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena (L.)) are described from dissections and histological preparations. The stomach consists of the following three compartments: forestomach, with keratinized stratified squamous epithelium and we...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Canadian Journal of Zoology
Main Author: Smith, G. J. D.
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1972
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z72-212
http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z72-212
Description
Summary:The morphological and cytological characteristics of the stomach of the harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena (L.)) are described from dissections and histological preparations. The stomach consists of the following three compartments: forestomach, with keratinized stratified squamous epithelium and well-developed muscularis externa; main stomach, with rugose mucosa containing mucous, parietal, and zymogenic cells; and pyloric stomach, with typical pyloric glands. The opening from the fore-stomach to the main stomach is located near the esophageal opening. A sphincter is not present, but the opening is surrounded by several epithelial folds. The main stomach is joined to the pyloric stomach by a narrow connecting channel possessing pyloric glands. The gross and microscopic characteristics of the compartments are interpreted in relation to function.