ANATOMY

Detailed explanation-1: -Quick facts. Ruminant stomachs have four compartments: the rumen, the reticulum, the omasum and the abomasum . Rumen microbes ferment feed and produce volatile fatty acids, which is the cow’s main energy source.

Detailed explanation-2: -The cow has four stomachs and undergoes a special digestive process to break down the tough and coarse food it eats. When the cow first eats, it chews the food just enough to swallow it. The unchewed food travels to the first two stomachs, the rumen and the reticulum, where it is stored until later.

Detailed explanation-3: -The fourth and final compartment of the cow’s stomach is the abomasum. This is often referred to as the “true stomach.” It can hold about 7 gallons. This compartment functions much like a human stomach. This is where stomach acids and enzymes work to breakdown the feed before it moves into the small intestine.

Detailed explanation-4: -YES AND NO. Cows technically only have one stomach, but it has four distinct compartments made up of Rumen, Reticulum, Omasum and Abomasum. It is very different than a human stomach. That’s why people often say that cows have four stomachs.

Detailed explanation-5: -Sheep, cattle, goats, deer, giraffes and llamas are ruminant animals. This means that they have a four-chambered stomach. The four chambers of the ruminant stomach are the reticulum, rumen, omasum and abomasum.