(pl. caeca)

Blindly-ending branch extending from the junction of the small and large intestine. Most birds have two caeca, but the number and their development in birds is highly variable. Caeca seem to be most highly developed and functional in facilitating microbial digestion of food in those birds that eat primarily plant materials.

Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia. Copyright © 2005 by The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.