hindgut

[ hahynd-guht ]

noun

1. Zoology.
   1. the last portion of the vertebrate alimentary canal, between the cecum and the anus, involved mainly with water resorption and with the storage and elimination of food residue; the large intestine.
   2. the posterior colon of arthropods, composed of ectodermal, chitin-lined tissue.
2. Embryology, Zoology. the posterior part of the embryonic alimentary canal from which the colon and rectum develop.

hindgut

/ ˈhaɪndˌɡʌt /

noun

1. the part of the vertebrate digestive tract comprising the colon and rectum
2. the posterior part of the digestive tract of arthropods

Word History and Origins

Origin of hindgut¹

First recorded in 1875–80; hind ¹ + gut

Example Sentences

Honeybees emerge from the pupal stage with a clean hindgut and, over their first three days, acquire the right microbes through interactions within the hive.

From Nature

In animals with “hindgut” fermentation — like horses, elephants, wombats, gorillas and to some extent humans — microorganisms in the lower digestive tract also help extract nutrients from plant fiber.

From New York Times

The origins of the colon from embryonic midgut and hindgut may provide an explanation.

From Nature

As a test case, Rob Phillips and his team considered the interaction between viruses and bacteria in the hindgut, or posterior part, of a termite.

From US News

The intestine has two diagonal loops crossing the ventral part of the body cavity, and the hindgut lies high in the cavity, along the left side of the air bladder.

From Project Gutenberg