Rumiant Digestion Flashcards
Components of the ruminant digestive system
-mouth
-esophagus
-rumen
-reticulum
-omasum
-abomasum
-small intestine
-cecum
-large intestine
Mouth
-entry point for all feed, forage, and water that an animal consumes
-digestion begins in the mouth
Mechanical digestion
The teeth, dental pad, and tongue break down the feed or forage through chewing
Chemical digestion
Digestive enzymes begin breaking down the feed or forage. Secreted through the salivary glands
Esophagus
A muscular passage connecting the mouth with the stomach of animals
Epiglottis
A thin, valve like, cartilaginous structure that covers the glottis during the swallowing. Helps prevent feed, forage, or water from entering the larynx
Rumen
-1st chamber of the ruminant stomach
-remains a constant 39-42 degrees Celsius
-remains in constant motion
-holds 80% of the contents 4 stomachs
-aka fermentation vat
Reticulum
-2nd chamber of the ruminant stomach
-houses microorganisms
-catches hardware and prevents it from traveling through the digestive tract
-has a honeycomb lining pattern
-only has a 5% capacity
Hardware
Small pieces of metal and other materials that animals accidentally consume
Omasum
-3rd chamber of the ruminant stomach
-it is comprised of folded tissue that lines the entire chamber
-resembles an ocean
-primary function is water absorption
Abomasum
-4th chamber of the ruminant stomach
-aka the true stomach
-where chemical digestion occurs for the feed and forage that the animal consumes
-the only stomach that is involved in chemical digestion
Small intestine
responsible for the absorption of the majority of the nutrients that have been broken down in the 4 compartments of the stomach
Cecum
-connects the small intestine to the large intestine
-another place that microbial digestion occurs
Large intestine
-mainly responsible for absorbing water
-transports waste to the anus for excretion
-5-6 times the animals body length
Liver
Responsible for bile production
