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Spiral Valve




A spiral valve is the lower portion of the Intestine of some Shark s, Ray s, Skate s and Bichir s. 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 is much shorter than that of mammals. Sharks have compensated for this problem by having a spiral valve, or a scroll valve, inside the intestine to increase the absorbent surface of the intestine.