Proventriculus - Anatomy & Physiology

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Introduction

The proventriculus is also referred to as the muscular stomach. It is connected by the isthmus to the gizzard.

Functional Anatomy

Proventriculus Anatomy - RVC 2008

• A storage organ in fish and flesh eating birds

• Appropriate to a soft diet

• Secretes digestive enzymes

• Contacts the left lobe of the liver ventrally

• More cranial than the gizzard

• Lies on the midline of the bird

• Spindle/fusiform shaped

• Roughly 4cm long

Histology

• Mucous cells

• Columnar epithelium

• Papillae- through which collecting ducts from glands run

• Lamina propria run into the papillae

• Hydrochloric acid and pepsin produced

• Glands in the submucosa