Changes

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

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

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 - Anatomy & Physiology|rumen]] holds 80%, [[The Reticulum - Anatomy & Physiology|reticulum]] 5%, [[The Omasum - Anatomy & Physiology|omasum]] 8% and [[The Abomasum - Anatomy & Physiology|abomasum]] 7% in larger ruminants. In smaller ruminants the proportions are slightly different, with the [[The Rumen - Anatomy & Physiology|rumen]] holding 75%, [[The Reticulum - Anatomy & Physiology|reticulum]] 8%, [[The Omasum - Anatomy & Physiology|omasum]] 4% and [[The Abomasum - Anatomy & Physiology|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 embyogenesis and after birth the [[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 [[The Rumen - Anatomy & Physiology|rumen]] into the [[The Abomasum - Anatomy & Physiology|abomasum]], bypassing the [[The Reticulum - Anatomy & Physiology|reticulum]].

The different compartments of the ruminant stomach develop from the foregut spindle in foetal life. During embyogenesis and after birth the [[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 [[The Rumen - Anatomy & Physiology|rumen]] into the [[The Abomasum - Anatomy & Physiology|abomasum]], bypassing the [[The Reticulum - Anatomy & Physiology|reticulum]].