Veterinary Splanchnology and Applied Anotomy

RUMEN - EXTERIOR

• The rumen occupies most of the left half of the abdomen and extends considerably over the median plane to the right
• It extends from the lower part of the 7th or 8th inter costal space to the pelvic inlet
• It is slightly compressed laterally and presents two surfaces, two borders and two extremities

• The parietal surface is convex and is related to the diaphragm, left wall of abdomen and spleen
• The visceral surface is irregular and is related to the omasum, abomasum, intestine, liver, pancreas, left kidney, adrenal, aorta and caudal vena cava
• The dorsal curvature is convex and is in contact with the dorsal wall and attached to it by peritoneum and connective tissue as far back as fourth lumbar vertebra
• The ventral curvature is also convex and is related to the floor of the abdominal cavity
• The two surfaces are marked by right and left longitudinal grooves dividing it into dorsal and ventral sacs
• The cranial extremity is divided ventrally by a transverse groove into two sacs - dorsal and ventral, of which the dorsal one becomes continuous with the reticulum, curves over the ventral sac, which is rounded and blind
• The junction of the dorsal sac and reticulum is marked by a groove, the rumino reticular groove that is distinct ventrally, the two compartments form a sort of dome - the atrium ventriculi on which the oesophagus terminates
• The caudal extremity extends to the pubis and is related to the intestine and bladder
• It is divided by the deep caudal transverse groove into dorsal and ventral sacs both of which are blind
• The grooves lodge the vessels and nerves of the rumen