Abstract

ABSTRACT
The ileum extended from the Meckel's diverticulum of jejunum to the ileo-ceco-colic junction. It was
straight and had a long ascending part and a short descending part. The colo-rectum was short and straight and
opened into the cloaca caudally. The mucosa of ileum and colorectum showed villi which were longer in the latter.
The surface of villi and crypts of the two segments of small and large intestine were lined with simple columnar
epithelium comprising chief cells and goblet cells. The goblet cells were more in the colorectum. The epithelial cells
of the crypts of Lieberkuhn were smaller than those of the villi. The crypts were considerably reduced in depth and
smaller in the colorectum as compared to that of ileum. Lamina propria was formed of loose connective tissue with
numerous blood vessels and nerve fibers in addition to the tubular glands. Central lacteals were absent in the villi.
The muscularis mucosa consisted of a layer of longitudinal smooth muscle fibres and extended into the corium of the
villus in the colorectum. The submucosa was poorly developed so as to be almost non-existent in most part of the
ileum and colo-rectum. The tunica muscularis consisted of smooth muscle fibers arranged in well developed inner
circular and a thin outer longitudinal layer. The inner circular layer was thinner in the colo-rectum when
comparedto that of the ileum. Externally a serosa was present.
Key words : Histomorphology, ileum, colo-rectum, pea-fowl

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