Rumen
Rumen
Rumen (/ˈruːmən/), also known as the paunch, is the largest compartment of the stomach in ruminant animals. It serves as the primary site for microbial fermentation of ingested feed.
Etymology
The term "rumen" is derived from the Latin word rūmen, meaning "throat" or "gullet".
Function
The rumen is a part of the ruminant digestive system, which includes other compartments such as the reticulum, omasum, and abomasum. It is designed to ferment food that the animal eats, breaking down complex plant materials like cellulose and hemicellulose into simpler, absorbable nutrients.
Microbial Activity
The rumen is home to a diverse population of microbes, including bacteria, protozoa, and fungi, which aid in the digestion process. These microbes produce enzymes that break down the plant material ingested by the ruminant, converting it into volatile fatty acids (VFAs) and gases.
Related Terms
- Ruminant: A type of animal that digests plant-based food by initially softening it in the rumen, then regurgitating the semi-digested mass, termed cud, and chewing it again.
- Reticulum: The second compartment of the ruminant stomach, also known as the "honeycomb".
- Omasum: The third compartment of the ruminant stomach, also known as the "manyplies".
- Abomasum: The fourth and final compartment of the ruminant stomach, also known as the "true stomach".
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Rumen
- Wikipedia's article - Rumen
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