Rat, digestive system / the alimentary canal
Most of the alimentary canal lies in the abdominal cavity.

The anterior mesenteric vein carries blood from the small intestine to the hepatic portal vein,
which then enters the LIVER.

Presumably due to microbial respiration, the caecum in this specimen is inflated.



To look for the pancreas, find the stomach. From it, trace the duodenum. The pancreas
is bound by the duodenum. Sometimes, fatty tissue may hide it.

[To the anterior mesenteric vein first.]

