Bird anatomy Birds have a four-chambered heart, in common with mammals, and some reptiles (mainly the crocodilia). This adaptation allows for an efficient nutrient and oxygen transport throughout the body, providing birds with energy to fly and maintain high levels of activity. A ruby-throated hummingbird's heart beats up to 1200 times per minute (about 20 beats per second). Many birds possess a muscular pouch along the esophagus called a crop. The crop functions to both soften food and regulate its flow through the system by storing it temporarily. The size and shape of the crop is quite variable among the birds. Members
Kock pouch Kock pouch A Kock pouch is a continent pouch formed by the terminal ileum after colectomy. The procedure was detailed and first performed in 1969 by Dr Nils Kock. Kock pouch ileostomy is indicated for patients who are unfit for ileal pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA) because the anus and anal sphincter will be removed during the operation; and patients who develop severe incontinence after IPAA. A Kock pouch need not be created during the initial colectomy surgery. The pouch has a volume of 500ml to 1000ml so that feces can be stored temporarily and the patient need not carry a