rumen

ru·men  (rmn)

n. pl. ru·mi·na (-m-n) or ru·mens

The first division of the stomach of a ruminant animal, in which most food collects immediately after being swallowed and from which it is later returned to the mouth as cud for thorough chewing. Also called paunch.

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[Latin rmen, throat.]

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rumi·nal adj.

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rumen  (rmn)

The first and largest division of the stomach in ruminant animals, in which the food is fermented by microorganisms. See more at ruminant.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

rumen - the first compartment of the stomach of a ruminant; here food is collected and returned to the mouth as cud for chewing first stomach ruminant - any of various cud-chewing hoofed mammals having a stomach divided into four (occasionally three) compartments stomach, tum, tummy, breadbasket - an enlarged and muscular saclike organ of the alimentary canal; the principal organ of digestion