Changes

The ruminant stomach occupies most of the left hand side of the abdomen. It is a vast structure, holding up to 60 litres in an adult cow. The rumen holds 80%, reticulum 5%, omasum 8% and abomasum 7% in larger ruminants. In smaller ruminants the proportions are slightly different, with the rumen holding 75%, reticulum 8%, omasum 4% and abomasum 13%.

The ruminant stomach occupies most of the left hand side of the abdomen. It is a vast structure, holding up to 60 litres in an adult cow. The rumen holds 80%, reticulum 5%, omasum 8% and abomasum 7% in larger ruminants. In smaller ruminants the proportions are slightly different, with the rumen holding 75%, reticulum 8%, omasum 4% and abomasum 13%.

The different compartments of the ruminant stomach develop from the foregut spindle in foetal life. During embryogenesis and after birth the [[Abomasum - Anatomy & Physiology|abomasum]] is the largest of the compartments (over half of the weight and capacity of the four stomachs) due to the [[Oesophageal Groove|oesophageal groove]] directing milk from the oesophagus to the abomasum, bypassing the rumen reticulum omasum

The different compartments of the ruminant stomach develop from the foregut spindle in foetal life. During embryogenesis and after birth the [[Abomasum - Anatomy & Physiology|abomasum]] is the largest of the compartments (over half of the weight and capacity of the four stomachs) due to the [[Oesophageal Groove|oesophageal groove]] directing milk from the oesophagus to the abomasum, bypassing the rumen, reticulum and omasum.

==Physiology==

==Physiology==