title: Position of Meckel's diverticulum in broiler-type chickens.
abstract: In each of three trials broiler-type chickens were used to determine whether Meckel's diverticulum resides in a constant position along the intestinal tract. Chickens were provided a basal diet ad libitum through 49 (Trials 2 and 3) or 52 days of age (Trial 1). Body weight and total intestine length as well as the lengths of the intestine from the gizzard to Meckel's diverticulum (GMD) and from Meckel's diverticulum (MD) to the cecal openings (MDC) were then recorded. When intestine length was expressed as a percentage of body weight, significant differences were noted between sexes. However, no significant differences were observed between sexes for either GMD or MDC relative to total intestinal length. Results of this study indicate that MD resides in a constant position along the length of the intestinal tract. This constancy of position supports the use of MD as a boundary point of the intestine.
authors.affiliation: US Department of Agriculture, South Central Poultry Research Laboratory, Mississippi State 39762.
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Branton
authors.forename: B D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Lott
authors.forename: G W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Deaton
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005260:Female; D007422:Intestines / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008297:Male; D008467:Meckel Diverticulum / Q000662:veterinary*