ru·men (r  m n)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. [Latin r  men, throat.]ru mi·nal adj. |
rumen [ˈruːmɛn]
n pl -mens, -mina [-mɪnə]
(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Zoology) the first compartment of the stomach of ruminants, behind the reticulum, in which food is partly digested before being regurgitated as cud
[from Latin: throat, gullet]
| 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. |
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| 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 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 |
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