1. Bioved Research Institute of Agriculture ,
Technology And Sciences
SEMESTER- V (NEW)
Course no. : AG-510
Credit : 3 (2+1)
Course Title: Principles of Food Science And nutrition
Compile By: Dr. Braj Kishor
Mohrab, Ramvan Gaman Road, Bhagwatipur
Shringverpur, Prayagraj (U.P)
2. Digestive system of ruminant
Ruminants are mammals that eat plants. The most well-
known fact about these animals is that they have four-
chambered stomachs that help them digest food. This
process through which these ruminants extract nutrition
from the food they consume is known as rumination.
Examples of ruminants are Cows, Sheep, Buffalos,
Yaks, Giraffes, and Deer.
We see cows chewing their food for very long periods.
This happens because Ruminants are animals who can
ferment the eaten food, regurgitate it, and chew it again
through rumination.
3.
4. Digestive System in Ruminant
The main difference between digestion in ruminants and digestion in
other mammals is that the ruminant’s stomach has four separate
chambers, each with a unique function. Most other mammals have
single-chambered stomachs..
Organs of the Ruminant Digestive System
To understand digestion in ruminants, the ruminant digestive system
and its organs need to be understood.
Ruminant digestive system is composed of:
Mouth
The mouth consists of lips, tongue, palate and teeth. Mouth is where
ingestion of food (grass) takes place. Food from the mouth is emptied
into the oesophagus.
Oesophagus
Oesophagus is also known as a food pipe. It connects the mouth and
stomach. In ruminants, the oesophagus has bidirectional function,
which means food can move in both directions (from mouth to
stomach and vice versa). This movement of food through the
oesophagus is brought about by muscle contraction and relaxation in
wave-like fashion.
6. Stomach
There are four chambers of the stomach in ruminants —
rumen, reticulum, omasum and abomasum — each with a
particular function. Stomach stores grass and grain, absorb
nutrients, break down and dissolve food.
The rumen is also known as paunch. It is the first chamber of
the stomach.
The reticulum is also known as honeycomb. The inner side of
the reticulum appears structurally similar to a honeycomb. It is
attached to the rumen with a thin tissue.
The third chamber is a sphere-shaped omasum. It is lined with
large folds of tissue.
The abomasum is the last chamber of the stomach and is the
true stomach. It is smaller in size. It represents about 4% of the
total stomach volume.
7. Small Intestine
Small intestine is divided into duodenum, jejunum and
ileum. It receives partially digested food from stomach
and empties it into cecum
Cecum
Connects small and large intestines and acts as a
transition.
Large Intestine
It is larger in width and smaller in length compared to
small intestine.
