Ruminant animals have a stomach with four compartments. Examples of ruminant animals include cattle, sheep, goat, giraffe, etc. The four compartments are the rumen, the reticulum, the omasum and the abomasum. The rumen, which is also known as the “paunch,” is used as a storage chamber, where the food is kept for further breaking it down. Rumen connects the stomach to the mouth as rumen is connected to the esophagus of the ruminant.
The cattle gulps down food, which is stored in the rumen for further breaking it down. This food (cud) is then moved up to the mouth again, to further chew it before finally swallowing the same. Rumen bacteria and microbes ferment the food to make it easy to digest.
Rumen microbes can easily digest cellulose, starch, amino acids, etc., which are present in plant-based diets. It also synthesizes Vitamin K and B, and protein. When the rumen is combined with a reticulum (another chamber of the stomach), it makes up 84% of the entire volume of the stomach. Health issues related to rumen include bloating, rumenitis and acidosis.
Related Links:
- Digestion in Ruminants – Structure, Function and Its Process
- Difference between Pseudo Ruminant and Ruminant Systems
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