Reticulum - Anatomy & Physiology
Introduction
The reticulum is the second chamber of the ruminant stomach. It has regular contractions which precede the biphasic ruminal contraction for digestion of food particles. Mechanical digestion and microbial fermentation occur to breakdown food particles for absorption. Volatile fatty acids are the major product of ruminant digestion.
Structure
The reticulum is covered by greater omentum. The rumino-reticular fold often gets objects lodged. When the rumen contracts, the object can be pushed through the reticulum wall into the pericardium and heart.
Opening at the cardia into both the reticulum and the rumen is called the reticuluar groove (see oseophageal groove). The reticular groove also opens into the omasum.
The reticulum is cranial to the rumen at ribs 6-8. It is located from cardia to the diaphragm. It lies above the xiphoid process of the sternum. Serosa covers the surface.
Function
The functions of the reticulum include waste removal and movement. Simpler products of digestion are assilimated directly, others continue down the digestive tract for further digestion.
See rumination and eructation.
Ruminoreticular contraction
The contractions primary mix food. There is a mixing cycle of ruminoreticulum. There are 2 contractions of the reticulum (2nd most powerful) which continues over the rumen. Ingesta flows from the reticulum to cranial ruminal sac to reticulum (or ventral sac). It occurs every 60 seconds. The secondary contraction lets gas out. (See eructation). Ingesta flows from the ventral blind sac to the dorsal blind sac to dorsal sac (eructation) to the ventral sac.
Vasculature
The reticulum recieves blood supply from the cranial mesenteric artery, celiac artery and right and left ruminal arteries.
Innervation
The reticulum is innervated by the dorsal vagus (CN X) (most important) and the ventral vagus nerve (CN X).
Lymphatics
Numerous small lymph nodes are scattered in the grooves. The lymph drains to larger atrial nodes between the cardia and omasum, then to the cistera chyli.
Histology
The reticulum has a keratinised stratified squamous epithelium and no present glands. The reticulum has a honeycomb appearance of short and tall folds, as the mucosal layer is thrown into folds. The folds gradually merge into papillae, where the reticulum meets the rumen. Conical papillae, also called secondary papillae, are present on folds, providing a rough surface to increase food breakdown.
The lamina muscularis is present as discrete bands of smooth muscle (not continuous). There are 2 thick layers of tunica muscularis, the inner circular and the outer longitudinal. The upper keratinised layer of the reticulum protects against abrasion and the deeper layers metabolise volatile fatty acids.
Species Differences
Small Ruminants
Small ruminants have a larger reticulum compared to cattle. In sheep and goats, the ridges of the reticular cells are lower and have more prominant serrated edges than in cattle. The papillated ruminal mucosa expands over a greater proportion of the reticulum.
Links
Test yourself with the Reticulum Flashcards
Click here for information on rumen - Anatomy & Physiology
Click here for information on omasum - Anatomy & Physiology
Click here for information on abomasum- Anatomy & Physiology
Video links:
Pot 52 Lateral view of the Abdomen of a young Ruminant
Pot 175 Sections of the Ruminant Stomach
Left sided topography of the Ovine Abdomen and Thorax