Cecum Function

Cecum is a part of the large intestine and is situated between ileum and the ascending colon. The cecum is a pouch-like structure that is connected to the small intestine and it also has the appendix attached to it. The opening of small intestine into the cecum is regulated by the ileocecal valve, that regulates the entry of food and stops any digested material from re-entering the small intestine.

Being an integral part of digestive system, cecum is found in most amniotes, that includes amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. The cecum houses the helpful bacteria that aids in the breakdown of plant material, mostly cellulose. In carnivores, the cecum function is not much and it is often seen to have reduced in size, sometimes even fully replaced by the appendix.

What is the Cecum Function?

Cecum is a vital part of digestive system and it has numerous functions in the digestion. Here is the information about the function of cecum in digestion and absorption.

Digestion
The cecum houses a large number of bacteria that help in digestion of plant materials, mostly cellulose, that remains undigested in the stomach and small intestine. This is done by the process of fermentation that helps in breaking down the plant fibers. The nutrients from cellulose are later absorbed by the large intestine.

Absorption
The cecum helps to receive the undigested food as well as liquids from the small intestine. As the small intestine does not absorb liquid, that becomes the large intestine function in digestion. One of the cecum functions is absorption of salts and electrolyte, mostly sodium and potassium, back into the body. The cecum is made of muscle tissues, that churn the food waste. This is done with the help of mucous membrane lining the cecum. These salts are necessary to maintain the electrolytic balance in the body and so, are absorbed from the intestine.

Lubrication
The solid waste that is passed to the cecum from the small intestine, is lubricated by the cecum. The cecum is lined by a thick mucous membrane that produces mucus. This mucus is mixed with the solid waste to lubricate it. This is necessary because the liquids are almost totally absorbed in the large intestine and to pass the solid waste along the large intestine easily, it becomes extremely important to lubricate it.

What is the Function of Cecum in Animals

We already know that cecum helps in digesting the plant material. The Cecum in herbivorous animals is a developed structure, since their main food intake is that of plants. The cecum houses around 70 different kinds of bacteria that help in digestion of poly-saccharides, i.e., the dietary fibers into short chain fatty acids. This helps in easy absorption of nutrients. In ruminants, the cecum is enlarged and acts as a storage organ. This gives bacteria some more time to digest the cellulose properly. This cecum has only one opening that lets food in and out of it. In pigs and rabbits cecum helps in digestion of cellulose.

This was all about what is cecum, its location in the body and its function. As you know now, cecum helps in digestion of cellulose and absorption of salts and electrolytes from the waste. It also lubricates the solid wastes. Since cecum just acts like an entrance to the large intestine, it is essential for digestion and overall health of the digestive system. Hopefully, this article on cecum function must have given you resourceful information.