L1 - GI Rumen Anatomy & Physiology Flashcards
What are the 4 regions of the ruminant stomach?
- Rumen
- Reticulum
- Omasum
- Abomasum
Describe the different GI characteristics in a newborn calf.
Large abomasum more important for milk digestion rather than fermentation
What differences do you see in GI of the 5-year-old cow?
The rumen is large and occupies the entire left side of the abdomen.
The liver is pushed cranially.
What changes in GI do you see in a 6 y/o heavily pregnant cow?
The uterus displaces the rumen dorsally and the abomasum cranially.
TRUE/FALSE:
the Esophageal groove allows suckling calves to bypass to the omasum.
FALSE
It bypasses to the ABOMASUM
When does the rumen become functional?
Once grain is introduced
What types of organisms are found within the rumen?
- Bacteria (largest)
- Protozoa
- Fungi (smallest population)
What is the function of bacteria within the rumen?
Digest cellulose
What is the function of protozoa within the rumen?
- Control the bacterial population
- You want to ensure that there is a diverse bacterial population (small, medium, large)
What is the function of fungi within the rumen?
Aid bacteria with cellulose digestion
TRUE/FALSE
The omasum lies on the medial aspect of the rumen and is responsible for absorption of water.
TRUE
What part of the GI secretes enzymes & HCl for digestion?
Abomasum
TRUE/FALSE
Disruptions with the abomasum may lead to metabolic changes.
TRUE
TRUE/FALSE
Dairy cattle fed with TMR and grass fed beef cattle have the same rumen composition.
FALSE
What when visually assessing your cattle, where should you start?
From the back.
Look at symmetry
What is the point of doing an external ruminal palpation?
Put pressure on each area in order to determine consistency and fill. You may be able to palpate distinct layers
What are the different rumen layers?
Top: Gas Cap
Middle: Fibrous Mat
Bottom: Liquid
What are you listening for on rumen auscultation?
Rate and strength of rumen contractions
_____ is associated with cud chewing.
Rumination
_____ is associated with suckling milk.
Esophageal groove closure
What are the different parts of the reticuloruminal motility cycle?
Primary or mixing cycle
Secondary or eructation cycle
What is atony?
Complete absence of reticuloruminal motility
What are the causes of atony?
- Absence of excitatory inputs or increase in inhibitory inputs to the gastric centre of the hypothalamus
- Direct depression of the gastric centre
- Failure of the vagal (nerve lesion) or motor pathways (Hypocalcemia)
What pathologies may be seen with the primary/mixing cycle?
- Atony
- Hypomotility
TRUE/FALSE
Frequency of 2˚ contractions indicates the overall health of the ruminant.
FALSE
1˚