multi-chambered stomach

A multi-chambered stomach is a digestive organ found in certain animals, most notably ruminants like cows, sheep, and goats. These animals do not have multiple stomachs but rather one stomach divided into four compartments: the rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum. This specialized structure allows them to digest fibrous plant material, such as grasses, which other animals cannot.12

The process begins in the rumen, where microbes break down cellulose. The animal then regurgitates this partially digested food, known as cud, to rechew it. This cud then passes through the other compartments, where water and nutrients are absorbed, and finally to the abomasum, the "true stomach," for further digestion with enzymes. This complex system enables ruminants to efficiently extract nourishment from plant matter.12