Spiral valve

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A spiral valve is the lower portion of the intestine of some sharks, rays, skates and bichirs. A modification of the ileum, the spiral valve is internally twisted or coiled to increase the surface area of the intestine, to increase nutrient absorption.

The intestines of a shark, compared to that of mammals, is much shorter. Sharks have compensated for this problem by having a spiral valve, or a scroll valve, inside the intestine to increase the absorptive surface of the intestine.


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