Omasum

(noun)

The third compartment of the stomach in ruminants. Though its functions have not been well-studied, it appears to primarily aid in the absorption of water, magnesium, and the volatile fatty acids produced.

Related Terms

Examples of Omasum in the following topics:

  • The Rumen and Ruminant Animals

    • The four compartments are called the rumen, the reticulum, the omasum, and the abomasum.
    • Liquid digesta in the reticulum is passed into the omasum where nutrients and water are absorbed into the blood stream.
    • The ruminant digestive tract has four compartments, the rumen, the reticulum, the omasum, and abomasum.

  • Vertebrate Digestive Systems

    • The four compartments of the stomach are called the rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum.
    • These animals do not have a rumen, but do have an omasum, abomasum, and reticulum.
    • The ruminant regurgitates cud from the reticulum, chews it, and swallows it into a third stomach, the omasum, which removes water.