Filling and emptying of the galliform caecum

Abstract

The movement of a barium meal was traced through the gastrointestinal tract of a Japanese quail by means of X-ray contrast photography. Peristaltic movements were recorded in the small and large intestine, and antiperistaltic movements were recorded in the large intestine and the caeca. Peristaltic and antiperistaltic waves of contraction converging at the openings of the caeca apparently forced intestinal contents laterally into the caeca. The filling and emptying of the caeca are discussed in the light of these observations.