Hindgut is a word used to describe the lower part of the intestine in animals. In phonetic transcription, this word is written as /ˈhaɪndˌɡʌt/ where the initial sound is a voiced velar fricative, followed by a long vowel sound and ending with a voiced velar plosive. The word hindgut is derived from the combination of two words, "hind" and "gut". The word "hind" means the back part of something, while "gut" refers to the intestine. The spelling of this word is a combination of these two words, with a slight modification in the spelling to facilitate its pronunciation.
Hindgut refers to the posterior or caudal part of the digestive tract in animals that possess a digestive system with differentiated regions. It is the final section of the alimentary canal, located after the midgut. The hindgut is responsible for the final stages of digestion and the absorption of nutrients, as well as the elimination of waste products.
In mammals, including humans, the hindgut begins at the terminal ileum, which is the last part of the small intestine, and extends to the anus. It encompasses the cecum, colon, rectum, and anal canal. The hindgut serves various functions such as the absorption of water and electrolytes, synthesis of certain vitamins, and fermentation of cellulose by specialized microorganisms in herbivorous animals.
The hindgut is lined by mucous membrane, which is comprised of various types of cells including absorptive cells, goblet cells, and enterocytes. These cells help in the secretion of mucus and enzymes necessary for digestion and facilitate the movement of chyme, the semi-solid mixture of food and digestive juices, through the hindgut.
Disorders or diseases affecting the hindgut can lead to gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea, constipation, or inflammatory bowel disease. Understanding the structure and function of the hindgut is crucial for understanding the overall digestive process in animals and the prevention and treatment of related health conditions.
Endgut, the last portion of the primitive digestive tube in the embryo, forming the greater part of the ileum and all of the large intestine.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "hindgut" is derived from the combination of two parts: "hind" and "gut".
1. "Hind": The word "hind" originated from the Old English word "hinder", which means "situated at the rear" or "back". Over time, "hind" evolved to refer to the "back end" or "rear" of something.
2. "Gut": The word "gut" comes from Old English "gēotan", which means "to pour" or "to pour out". In the context of anatomy, "gut" refers to the alimentary canal or the digestive tract.
Therefore, "hindgut" combines the idea of "being at the rear" with the concept of the digestive tract, specifically referring to the terminal portion of the digestive system in some animals.