Changes

==Introduction==

==Introduction==

The ruminant stomach is composed of 4 separate compartments. Food passes first into the rumen, then reticulum, omasum and finally into the 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 abomasum resembles the simple 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 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 [[The Rumen|rumen]] holds 80%, [[The Reticulum|reticulum]] 5%, [[The Omasum|omasum]] 8% and [[The Abomasum|abomasum]] 7% in larger ruminants. In smaller ruminants the proportions are slightly different, with the [[The Rumen|rumen]] holding 75%, [[The Reticulum|reticulum]] 8%, [[The Omasum|omasum]] 4% and [[The Abomasum|abomasum]] 13%.

The different stomachs of the ruminant develop from the foregut spindle in foetal life. During embyogenesis and after birth the 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 rumen into the abomasum, bypassing the 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]]