anus

anal opening

Orifice at the opposite end of an animal's digestive tract from the mouth. Its function is to expel feces, unwanted semi-solid matter produced during digestion, which, depending on the type of animal, may be one or more of: matter which the animal cannot digest, such as bones; food material after all the nutrients have been extracted, for example cellulose or lignin; ingested matter which would be toxic if it remained in the digestive tract; and dead or excess gut bacteria and other endosymbionts.

Type Bone
Body System Digestive
Parent Structure orifice
Latin Name anal opening
FMA ID 15711

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the anus?
Orifice at the opposite end of an animal's digestive tract from the mouth. Its function is to expel feces, unwanted semi-solid matter produced during digestion, which, depending on the type of animal, may be one or more of: matter which the animal cannot digest, such as bones; food material after al
What body system is the anus part of?
The anus is part of the Digestive.
What is the Latin name for the anus?
The Latin name for the anus is anal opening.

Related Structures

1st arch mandibular endoderm endoderm of mandibular component 1st arch maxillary endoderm endoderm of maxillary component alimentary part of gastrointestinal system alimentary system anterior ectodermal midgut anterior intestinal portal fovea cardiaca associated mesenchyme of foregut-midgut junction baleen feeding system baleen plate

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