List the four compartments of the ruminant stomach and explain the function of each

Answer 1

(a) The rumen is the largest compartment and makes up about 80 percent of the total capacity of the
stomach. The rumen is where the bacteria and microorganisms act on the food material and where
digestion takes place.
(b) The reticulum is closely associated with the rumen. The reticulum works with the rumen in formation of
the cud for regurgitation. Foreign bodies, such as nails or pieces of wire, can be held in the reticulum for
long periods without causing serious injury.
(c) The omasum removes large amounts of water from the food as it moves from the rumen to the abomasum.
(d) The abomasum functions very similarly to the stomach of single-stomached animals.