noun
- the first and largest compartment of the stomach of a ruminant animal, where food is temporarily stored and partially digested
Usage: anatomy; veterinary
Examples
- The cow’s rumen can hold up to 50 gallons of partially digested food.
- Bacteria in the rumen help break down cellulose from grass and hay.
- The veterinarian examined the sheep’s rumen for signs of bloat.
- Food moves from the rumen to the reticulum during digestion.
- A healthy rumen is essential for proper nutrition in cattle.
- The rumen allows ruminants to digest tough plant materials that other animals cannot.