Anatomical, histological and functional specificities of the digestive tract in the male grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus, Temminck 1827).

Using standard methods, the study of topographic and descriptive anatomy, and histology, has led to the specification of some special features and their relationship to the function of the grasscutter digestive tract. These details include the development of dorsal excrescence on the tongue, lack of a true pylorus, and advanced disappearance of Brünner glands in the last third of the duodenum submucosa. More interesting is the size of the caecum, which fills 60% of the abdominal cavity, and the presence of large anal glands, making this animal an unusual rodent.