Abstract
The purpose of this study was to shed light on the histomorphometry structure of cecum of the goat (Capra hircus). Ten samples from the cecum of an adult male goat were used in this investigation. All samples were taken from research animals that were being killed in a local abattoir in the region of Al-Muthanna between November and December 2025. Five specimens obtained from each part of the cecum (apex, body, and base) for each histological and histochemical investigation. The four tunicae mucosa, submucosa, muscularis, and serosa or adventitia that make up the cecum wall were shown to have identical structures throughout the study. The structures were visible in the tunica mucosa; the muscularis mucosa, the lamina propria with Lieberkühn crypts, and the epithelium. The tunica's apex was thicker than its other sections, and its lining was made up of simple epithelium that more Lieberkühn crypt and goblet cell were found in the apex of the cecum epithelium than in other areas, and there were more well-developed, simple, tubular, unbranched glands there than elsewhere. Intestinal glands are located close to the lamina muscularis. In the tunica mucosa of the entire cecum, goblet cells were globular-shaped. In Lieberkühn crypts and epithelium, these goblet cells demonstrated a high positive response to periodic acid Schiff and periodic acid Schiff plus Alcian blue stains. The submucosa is made up of many blood arteries, collections of lymphatic nodules, dense irregular connective tissue, adipose tissue, and the absence of glands. In the base of the cecum, the tunica was thicker than in other places. The innermost circular and outside longitudinal smooth muscle fibers that made up the tunica muscularis were thicker at the apex than in other areas. The cecum's modified thickenings and smooth muscle layer of the muscularis externia were arranged at random. The loose connective tissue known as tunica serosa had a mean thickness in the apex that was greater than in other areas. In conclusion, the histological and histochemical features of the goat's cecum show how well it evolved to herbivorous food and how crucial it is for hindgut fermentation, immune system function, and efficient nutrient use.