Anatomy of the cecum of the cat.

In a series of comparative anatomical studies on the ceca of various mammals the cat was chosen as representative of a "typical" carnivore. In the domestic cat, the cecum is conspicuously small and macroscopically relatively undifferentiated in comparison to most herbivores. Microscopically (light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy), however, it is characterized by an abundance of goblet cells and enterocytes rich in organelles, suggestive of functional activity. In addition to the morphological description, which also includes arterial supply and mesenteries of the cecum, the discussion is focussed on 1) the possible functional significance of the numerous goblet cells 2) a general categorization of the different types of ileal-caeco-colical junctions and 3) speculations concerning the justification for considering the carnivore cecum as being rudimentary.