Macroscopic Anatomy of the Stomach of the Hippopotamidae GRAY, 1821

As in ruminants, a fornix-like blind sac in the glandular stomach, lined with nonglandular epithelium, exposes the stomach contents to digestive enzymes.

“As in ruminants, a fornix-like blind sac in the glandular stomach, lined with nonglandular epithelium, exposes the stomach contents to digestive enzymes (Langer 1975).”

Hippos are called pseudo-ruminants or ruminant-like, with microbial fermentation in the fore stomachs supporting digestion through the production of volatile fatty acids and essential vitamins.

“Hippos are called “pseudo-ruminants” or ruminant-like, with microbial fermentation in the fore stomachs supporting digestion through the production of volatile fatty acids and essential vitamins (Langer 1975;Macdonald and Hartman 1983).”

The blind sacs, ventriculus, and connecting chamber of C. liberiensis are further subdivided by a series of semilunar folds, 1-3 cm in height, derived from the tunica muscularis.

“The blind sacs, ventriculus, and connecting chamber are further subdivided by a series of semilunar folds, 1-3 cm in height, derived from the tunica muscularis (Langer 1975;Macdonald and Hartman 1983).”

The four stomach compartments of C. liberiensis are similar to those of a ruminant and include the nonglandular visceral and parietal blind sacs (also termed left and right diverticula), the vestibulum, the connecting chamber, and the customary glandular stomach.

“The four stomach compartments are similar to those of a ruminant and include the nonglandular visceral and parietal blind sacs (also termed left and right diverticula), the vestibulum, the connecting chamber, and the customary glandular stomach (Langer 1975;Macdonald and Hartman 1983).”

In the adult C. liberiensis, the papillae increase the functional surface area of the fore stomachs by 3.32 times compared to that of a smooth wall.

“In the adult C. liberiensis, the papillae increase the functional surface area of the fore stomachs by 3.32 times compared to that of a smooth wall (Langer 1975).”

A distinct border along the lesser curvature marks the separation between the nonglandular connecting chamber and glandular epithelium of the stomach.

“A distinct border along the lesser curvature marks the separation between the nonglandular connecting chamber and glandular epithelium of the stomach (Langer 1975).”

An elongated triangular gall bladder is present in C. liberiensis, and the bile duct empties into the duodenum 15 cm distal to the pylorus.

“An elongated triangular gall bladder is present, and the bile duct empties into the duodenum 15 cm distal to the pylorus (Macalister 1873;Langer 1975).”

The volume of the combined fore stomachs in the newborn C. liberiensis is about 68% of the total gastric volume; in adults this proportion increases to 94%.

“The volume of the combined fore stomachs in the newborn C. liberiensis is about 68% of the total gastric volume; in adults this proportion increases to 94% (Langer 1975).”