408 



DIGESTIVE SYSTEM OF THE SHEEP 



The stomach is like that of the ox in its general arrangement. Its average 

 capacity is about four gallons (ca. 15 liters). The cardiac opening is opposite the 

 middle of the eighth intercostal space; it is just to the left of the median plane and 

 about two to three inches (ca. 5 to 7 cm.) below the vertebral column. The ventral 

 sac of the rumen is relatively larger and extends further to the right of the median 

 plane than in the ox. There are no coronary pillars in the dorsal sac, but its upper 

 part is papillated. The papillae of the rumen are relatively large and somewhat 

 tongue-like; the largest are about a fourth of an inch (ca. 6 mm.) in length. The 

 reticulum is relatively larger than in the ox. Its ventral part curves more back- 

 ward and less to the right than in the ox. The parietal surface extends forward as 



Fig. 304.— Addominal Vlscera of Sheep, Superficiat. Ve-ntuai. Xn.w. 



far as the sixth rib or intercostal space, and is related to the diaphragm and liver. 

 The fundus lies on the sternal part of the diaphragm and in contact with the abo- 

 masum. The oesophageal groove is disposed much like that of the ox, and is about 

 four to five inches (ca. 8 to 10 cm.) long. The omasum is much smaller than the 

 reticulum, its capacity being only about one pint. It is oval and compressed 

 laterally. It is situated almost entirely to the right of the median plane, opposite 

 to the ninth and tenth ri})s, higher than in the ox, and has no contact with the 

 abdominal wall. It is related on the right to the liver and gall-nladder, on the left 

 to the rumen, antl below to the abomasum. The laminse are less numerous than 

 in the ox; in the neck which connects the omasum with the reticulum they have 



