Wall thickness and mucous cell distribution in the rabbit large intestine

To achieve a better understanding of rabbit large intestinal functions, such as production of hard and soft feces and cecal fermentation, knowledge of the intestinal wall structure is essential. However, such knowledge is far from complete. Therefore, the aims of this study were to measure the thickness of the wall and its constituent layers and describe distribution of mucous cells in each segment of the large intestine in New Zealand White rabbits. Results showed that the cecum had the thinnest entire wall throughout the large intestine, and the fusus coli and rectum had a thicker entire wall in comparison to the cecum, the first segment of the proximal colon, the second segment of the proximal colon, and the distal colon. Moreover, the thickness of the mucosa in the fusus coli and that of the inner and outer layers of the tunica muscularis in the rectum were greater than that of the other segments. Mucous cells in the mucosa were the fewest in the cecum and most numerous in the fusus coli. This study provides detailed knowledge of the wall thickness and distribution of mucous cells in the large intestine of the rabbit. These findings are important for improving our understanding of rabbit intestinal physiology and pathology.