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Digestive System of
UNP-0060
Goats
Introduction
Mature goats are herbivorous
ruminant animals. Their
digestive tracts, which are
Esophagus
similar to those of cattle,
sheep, deer, elk, bison, Large Intestine Cecum
and giraffes, consist of the
mouth, esophagus, four Rumen
stomach compartments, (paunch)
small intestine, cecum,
and large intestine. A brief
Reticulum
description of the anatomy (honeycomb)
and physiology of the
mouth and the stomach Omasum
Small Intestine Abomasum (manyplies)
compartments of goats (true stomach)
follows.
www.aces.edu
intestine to free up these compartment. The capacity Small Intestine: As
nutrients for the ruminant of the reticulum of goats partially digested feed enters
animal’s use. ranges from 1/4 to 1/2 gallon. the duodenum, the first
part of the small intestine,
In the process of Omasum: This the enzymes produced and
digesting feeds, rumen compartment, also known secreted by the pancreas
microorganisms also as the manyplies, consists and the Brunner’s glands of
produce large amounts of of many folds or layers of the duodenum further break
gases, primarily methane tissue that grind up feed down feed nutrients into
and carbon dioxide. The ingesta and squeeze some simple compounds. These
animal normally eliminates of the water from the feed. compounds are absorbed
these gases by eructation The capacity of the omasum into the bloodstream or
(belching). When the gases of goats is approximately 1/4 lymph by an active process
are produced faster than gallon. carried on largely in the
the animal can eliminate jejunum and ileum (second
them, a potentially lethal Abomasum: This and third part of the small
condition known as bloat compartment is often intestine, respectively).
can result. This condition is considered the true stomach The small intestinal wall
often associated with the of ruminant animals. It is lined with many small
rapid consumption of large functions similarly to human fingerlike projections called
amounts of leguminous stomachs. The mucosa villi, which increase the
vegetation. of the fundus contains absorption area of the small
parietal cells, which secrete intestine. The capacity of the
Reticulum: This hydrochloric acid, and small intestine of goats is
compartment, also known as chief cells, which secrete approximately 2 1/2 gallons.
the honeycomb or hardware the enzyme pepsin. This
stomach, is located just enzyme is secreted in an Cecum: This simple tubular
below the entrance of the inactive form (pepsinogen), structure, also known as the
esophagus into the stomach. which is then activated by blind gut, is located at the
When goats swallow foreign hydrochloric acid. Pepsin junction of the small and large
objects such as wire, nails, is responsible for breaking intestines. Feed materials
and screws, these objects down feed proteins before entering this compartment are
can become lodged in they enter the small digested by inhabiting micro-
the reticulum, potentially intestine. The pylorus, which organisms. The capacity of
causing serious injury. The is the terminal portion of the the cecum of goats is approxi-
reticulum is part of the abomasum, is characterized mately 1/4 gallon.
rumen separated only by by secretions that are largely
an overflow connection, mucous. The capacity of
the rumino-reticular fold. the abomasum of goats is
Therefore, microbial action approximately 1 gallon. Figure 2. Inside structures of rumen,
also takes place in this reticulum, omasum, and abomasum
of goats. Photo courtesy of G. F. W.
Haenlein, University of Delaware.
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