Changes

Food passes from the oral cavity into the [[oesophagus - Anatomy & Physiology|oesophagus]] and from here to the stomach. In evolutionary terms, various adaptations to the anatomy of the stomach reflect the digestive needs of the species, based on their natural diet. The [[Stomach and Abomasum - Anatomy & Physiology|ruminant stomach]] for example, is composed of 4 separate compartments; the rumen, the reticulum, the omasum and the abomasum. The first three compartments 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 compartment, the abomasum resembles the simple [[Forestomach - Anatomy & Physiology|monogastric stomach]] of a carnivore in structure and function.  The [[Oesophageal groove|oesophageal groove]] is present in newborn ruminants; it is a channel which directs milk from the oesophagus into the rumen, omasum and then abomasum, bypassing the reticulum.  

Food passes from the oral cavity into the [[oesophagus - Anatomy & Physiology|oesophagus]] and from here to the stomach. In evolutionary terms, various adaptations to the anatomy of the stomach reflect the digestive needs of the species, based on their natural diet. The [[Stomach and Abomasum - Anatomy & Physiology|ruminant stomach]] for example, is composed of 4 separate compartments; the rumen, the reticulum, the omasum and the abomasum. The first three compartments 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 compartment, the abomasum resembles the simple [[Forestomach - Anatomy & Physiology|monogastric stomach]] of a carnivore in structure and function.  The [[Oesophageal groove|oesophageal groove]] is present in newborn ruminants; it is a channel which directs milk from the oesophagus into the rumen, omasum and then abomasum, bypassing the reticulum.  

The stomach passes into the [[Small Intestine - Anatomy & Physiology|small intestine]]small intestine, which is subdivided into three sections; the [[Duodenum - Anatomy & Physiology|duodenum]], the [[Jejunum - Anatomy & Physiology|jejunum]] and the *[[Ileum - Anatomy & Physiology|ileum]].

The stomach passes into the [[Small Intestine - Anatomy & Physiology|small intestine]], which is subdivided into three sections; the [[Duodenum - Anatomy & Physiology|duodenum]], the [[Jejunum - Anatomy & Physiology|jejunum]] and the[[Ileum - Anatomy & Physiology|ileum]].