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[[Image:Abdomen development young cow.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Abdominal development of a young cow - Copyright Prof.Pat Mccarthy]]

[[Image:Abdomen development young cow.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Abdominal development of a young cow - Copyright Prof.Pat Mccarthy]]

The ruminant stomach is composed of 4 separate compartments. Food passes first into the [[The Rumen|rumen]], then [[The Reticulum|reticulum]], [[The Omasum|omasum]] and finally into the [[The Abomasum|abomasum]] before entering the [[Duodenum - Anatomy & Physiology|duodenum]]. The first three stomachs are adapted to digest complex carbohydrates with the aid of microorganisms which produce [[Volatile Fatty Acids - Anatomy & Physioogy|volatile fatty acids]] - the major energy source of ruminants. The last stomach, the [[The Abomasum|abomasum]] resembles the simple [[Forestomach - Anatomy & Physiology|monogastric stomach]] in structure and function.

The ruminant stomach is composed of 4 separate compartments. Food passes first into the [[The Rumen|rumen]], then [[The Reticulum|reticulum]], [[The Omasum|omasum]] and finally into the [[The Abomasum|abomasum]] before entering the [[Duodenum - Anatomy & Physiology|duodenum]]. The first three stomachs are adapted to digest complex carbohydrates with the aid of microorganisms which produce [[Volatile Fatty Acids - Anatomy & Physioogy|volatile fatty acids]] - the major energy source of ruminants. The last stomach, the [[The Abomasum|abomasum]] resembles the simple [[Forestomach - Anatomy & Physiology|monogastric stomach]] in structure and function.

The different stomachs of the ruminant develop from the foregut spindle in foetal life. During embyogenesis and after birth the [[The Abomasum|abomasum]] is the largest of the stomachs (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 [[The Rumen|rumen]] into the [[The Abomasum|abomasum]], bypassing the [[The Reticulum|reticulum]].  

The different stomachs of the ruminant develop from the foregut spindle in foetal life. During embyogenesis and after birth the [[The Abomasum|abomasum]] is the largest of the stomachs (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 [[The Rumen|rumen]] into the [[The Abomasum|abomasum]], bypassing the [[The Reticulum|reticulum]].  

 

[[The Rumen]]

[[The Rumen]]

[[The Reticulum]]

[[The Reticulum]]

 

[[The Omasum]]

[[The Omasum]]

[[The Abomasum]]

[[The Abomasum]]