Ruminant Digestive System

These flashcards cover key vocabulary related to the ruminant digestive system, including its components and processes.

Prehension

The act of snatching or taking food into the mouth.

Rumen

The largest compartment of the ruminant stomach, filled with chewed material and bacteria for fermentation.

Salivation

The production of saliva which lubricates food and begins the digestive process.

Eructation

The act of belching, which helps release gas produced during fermentation in the rumen.

Reticulum

Part of the forestomach of ruminants that collects smaller digested materials.

Omasum

A compartment of the ruminant stomach that absorbs water and has many folds to increase surface area.

Abomasum

The true stomach of ruminants, similar to non-ruminant stomachs, where digestion mainly occurs.

VFA (Volatile Fatty Acids)

Products of microbial fermentation that provide energy for ruminants.

Cud-chewing

The process where larger food particles are brought back up to the mouth for additional chewing.

Esophageal Groove

A tissue flap that directs liquids directly to the abomasum in pre-ruminants.