Memahami Kambing (Bhg 2)

Reticulum: This compartment, also known as the honeycomb or hardware stomach, is located just below the entrance of the esophagus into the stomach. When goats swallow foreign objects such as wire, nails, and screws, these objects can become lodged in the reticulum, potentially causing serious injury. The reticulum is part of the rumen separated only by an overflow connection, the rumino-reticular fold. Therefore, microbial action also takes place in this compart-ment. The capacity of the reticulum of goats ranges from 1/4 to 1/2 gallon.

Omasum: This compartment, also known as the manyplies, consists of many folds or layers of tissue that grind up feed ingesta and squeeze some of the water from the feed. The capacity of the omasum of goats is approximately 1/4 gallon.

Abomasum: This compartment is often considered the true stomach of ruminant animals. It functions similarly to human stomachs. The mucosa of the fundus contains parietal cells, which secrete hydrochloric acid, and chief cells, which secrete the enzyme pepsin. This enzyme is secreted in an inactive form (pepsinogen), which is then activated by hydrochloric acid. Pepsin is responsible for breaking down feed proteins before they enter the small intestine. The pylorus, which is the terminal portion of the abomasum, is characterized by secretions that are largely mucous. The capacity of the abomasum of goats is approximately 1 gallon.

Inside structures of rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum of goats. Photo courtesy of G. F. W. Haenlein, University of Delaware.