FORESTOMACH Meaning and
Definition
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The term "forestomach" refers to a specialized structure found in the digestive system of ruminant animals, such as cows, sheep, and goats. It is also known as the rumen or the first compartment of the stomach.
The forestomach is an important component of the ruminant's digestive process, as it functions as a fermentation chamber for the breakdown of plant material. It is a large, muscular organ situated before the true stomach and is capable of holding large volumes of food and liquid.
Within the forestomach, microorganisms, including bacteria and protozoa, aid in the digestion of cellulose, a complex carbohydrate found in plant cell walls. These microorganisms break down the cellulose into simpler forms, such as volatile fatty acids, which the ruminant can then absorb and utilize as a source of energy.
The forestomach possesses several unique features to facilitate this fermentation process. Its strong muscular walls help to mix and churn the food, ensuring thorough exposure to the microorganisms. Additionally, it contains papillae, which are small finger-like projections that increase the available surface area for microbial attachment and nutrient absorption.
Overall, the forestomach is an integral part of the ruminant's digestive system, playing a crucial role in the breakdown and utilization of plant material, allowing these animals to efficiently extract nutrients from a diet primarily composed of fibrous vegetation.
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Antrum cardiacum, peripheral dilatation of the esophagus just above the cardiac opening.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for FORESTOMACH
- dorestomach
- corestomach
- vorestomach
- gorestomach
- torestomach
- rorestomach
- firestomach
- fkrestomach
- flrestomach
- fprestomach
- f0restomach
- f9restomach
- foeestomach
- fodestomach
- fofestomach
- fotestomach
- fo5estomach
- fo4estomach
- forwstomach
- forsstomach
Etymology of FORESTOMACH
The word "forestomach" is formed by combining the prefix "fore-" meaning "before" or "in front of", and "stomach", which originates from the Greek word "stoma" meaning "mouth" or "opening".
The term "forestomach" is most commonly used in the context of animals with a multi-chambered stomach, such as ruminants like cows. In these animals, the forestomach refers to the part of the digestive system located before the true stomach (the abomasum), consisting of the rumen, reticulum, and omasum.
Overall, the term "forestomach" describes the anterior part of the stomach or the pre-stomach in certain animals, indicating its anatomical position before the main stomach chamber.
Similar spelling word for FORESTOMACH
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