Changes

==Introduction==

==Introduction==

The rumen is the first chamber of the ruminant stomach. It is the largest chamber and has regular contractions to move food around for digestion, eliminate gases through [[Eructation - Anatomy & Physiology|eructation]] and send food particles back to the mouth for [[Mastication|remastication]]. The rumen breaks down food particles through mechanical digestion and fermentation with the help of symbiotic microbes. [[Volatile Fatty Acids|Volatile fatty acids]] are the main product of ruminant digestion.

The rumen is the first chamber of the ruminant stomach. It is the largest chamber and has regular contractions to move food around for digestion, eliminate gases through [[Eructation|eructation]] and send food particles back to the mouth for [[Mastication|remastication]]. The rumen breaks down food particles through mechanical digestion and fermentation with the help of symbiotic microbes. [[Volatile Fatty Acids|Volatile fatty acids]] are the main product of ruminant digestion.

==Structure==

==Structure==

The rumen is involved in waste removal. Simpler products of digestion are assimilated directly, others continue down the digestive tract for further digestion. It mixes food and moves it forwards through the stomach chambers. Sensors in the rumen can determine the coarseness of the food. Coarse, tough feed needs stronger and more frequent ruminal contractions. The '''vagus nerve''' ([[Cranial Nerves - Anatomy & Physiology|CN X]]) is needed for control of stomach movements. The reflex control is through sensory receptors in the medulla.  

The rumen is involved in waste removal. Simpler products of digestion are assimilated directly, others continue down the digestive tract for further digestion. It mixes food and moves it forwards through the stomach chambers. Sensors in the rumen can determine the coarseness of the food. Coarse, tough feed needs stronger and more frequent ruminal contractions. The '''vagus nerve''' ([[Cranial Nerves - Anatomy & Physiology|CN X]]) is needed for control of stomach movements. The reflex control is through sensory receptors in the medulla.  

See [[Rumination - Anatomy & Physiology|rumination]] and [[Eructation - Anatomy & Physiology|eructation]].

See [[Rumination - Anatomy & Physiology|rumination]] and [[Eructation|eructation]].

==Ruminoreticular contraction==

==Ruminoreticular contraction==

:Primary contraction mixes food by a ruminoreticuluar mixing cycle. There are 2 contractions of the reticulum (2nd most powerful) which continue over the [[Rumen - Anatomy & Physiology|rumen]]. Ingesta flows from the reticulum to cranial rumenal sac and then to reticulum (or ventral sac). It occurs every 60 seconds.  

:Primary contraction mixes food by a ruminoreticuluar mixing cycle. There are 2 contractions of the reticulum (2nd most powerful) which continue over the [[Rumen - Anatomy & Physiology|rumen]]. Ingesta flows from the reticulum to cranial rumenal sac and then to reticulum (or ventral sac). It occurs every 60 seconds.  

:The secondary contraction lets gas out (see [[Eructation - Anatomy & Physiology|eructation]]). Ingesta flows from the ventral blind sac to the dorsal blind sac then to dorsal sac (eructation) and to the ventral sac.

:The secondary contraction lets gas out (see [[Eructation|eructation]]). Ingesta flows from the ventral blind sac to the dorsal blind sac then to dorsal sac (eructation) and to the ventral sac.

==Vasculature==

==Vasculature==