Gizzard

Gizzard is a muscular part of the digestive tract of birds, reptiles, earthworms, and some fish. In birds, it is used to grind up food, often with the aid of ingested stones or grit. In certain insects and mollusks, the gizzard features chitinous plates or teeth.

Anatomy and Function

The gizzard is located between the crop and the stomach in the avian digestive system. It is a specialized stomach constructed of thick, muscular walls used for grinding up food, often aided by particles of stone or grit swallowed by the bird. In certain insects and mollusks, the gizzard features chitinous plates or teeth.

In Different Species

In species with a gizzard, its function can vary. In earthworms, the gizzard is used to grind up soil particles, which are then passed to the intestine for extraction of nutrients. In some fish species, the gizzard is specialized for filtering out food particles from the water.

Human Consumption

Gizzard is also a popular food item in many cultures. It is often cooked by simmering until tender, then served fried, grilled, or in soups and stews. In some cultures, it is considered a delicacy.

See Also

• Digestive system
• Bird anatomy
• Crop (anatomy)
• Stomach

References

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