GENERAL HISTOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -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-2: -Ruminants and camelids are a group of animals that have stomachs with multiple compartments. Ruminants have four compartments to their stomachs while the camelids have three compartments. Examples of ruminant animals include cattle, sheep, goats, buffalo and deer. Camelids include llamas, alpacas and camels.

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.