Digestive Anatomy Lecture 13 - Ruminants (Sheep and Cattle)

These flashcards cover key concepts related to the anatomy and physiology of the digestive system in ruminants, specifically sheep and cattle, including dental structure, stomach compartments, and physiological processes.

What type of teeth do ruminants have for grinding food?

Ruminants have hypsodont cheek teeth (premolars and molars) that are well adapted for grinding plant material.

How many lower incisors do ruminants have?

Ruminants have four lower incisors on each side of the mandible.

What replaces the upper incisors in ruminants?

In ruminants, the upper incisors are replaced by a hard, fibrous dental pad.

What is the dental formula for a young ruminant?

The dental formula for a young ruminant is 2(Di 0/4 Dc 0/0 Dp 3/3) = 20.

What is the adult dental formula for ruminants?

The adult dental formula for ruminants is 2(I 0/4 C 0/0 P 3/3 M 3/3) = 32.

What are the main muscles involved in mastication in ruminants?

The strong masseter and pterygoid muscles are mainly involved in mastication in ruminants.

What is the role of saliva in ruminants?

Saliva provides an alkaline buffer to the rumen and reticulum and helps in the formation and swallowing of the bolus.

What are the four major compartments of the ruminant stomach?

The four major compartments of the ruminant stomach are the rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum.

How does the oesophagus of ruminants differ from that of carnivores?

In ruminants, the oesophagus has a muscular wall that tends to be thinner as it approaches the stomach and is completely skeletal muscle.

What is the role of the rumen during fermentation?

The rumen provides accommodation for bacteria and protozoa that help ferment cellulose and other food constituents.

What is the significance of the gastric groove in young ruminants?

The gastric groove allows milk to bypass the fermentative activity of the rumen and reticulum, directing it to the abomasum.

What are the main sources of blood supply to the ruminant stomach?

The blood supply mainly comes from the right and left ruminal arteries, the reticular artery, and the left gastric artery.