Camelid Stomach - Anatomy & Physiology

Camelids have a similar digestive structure to other ruminants, although camelids only have three separate GI tract compartments compared to the four found in domestic species. The first element of the camelid GI tract, known as C1, can be compared to the rumen whilst the second, known as C2 can be compared to the reticulum. The final element of the tract, C3 can be compared to the abomasum. Therefore camelids do not have a structure comparible to an omasum.

C1

• The hopper-like container
• no papillae and has glandular portions.
• Dorsal regions are stratified squamous and non-keratinized
• Ventral regions (glandular saccules) are lined by mucinous epithelial cells.
• Seems to be involved in absorption of water and solutes (not bicarbonate formation).
• Contents are homogenous and fibrous, with no gas cap as can be seen in ruminants.
• Single walled oesophageal groove present.

C2

• Mostly glandular epithelium,except around the oesophageal groove.
• Contains numerous glandular divisions forming a retiform pattern.

C3

• Entirely glandular.
• The terminal 1/5th contains gastric glands - mucosa is reddish brown in this area (the rest is pink).