454 



DIGESTIVE SYSTEM OF THE OX 



intestine, the liver, pancreas, kidneys, the uterus in the female, and the posterior 

 aorta and vena cava. The dorsal curvature (Curvatura dorsahs) is convex, fol- 

 lowing the curve formed by the diaphragm and sublumbar muscles. It is firmly 

 attached to the left portion of the crura of the diaphragm and the sublumbar 

 muscles by peritoneum and cormective tissue. The ventral curvature (Curvatura 

 ventralis) is also convex and lies on the floor of the abdomen. The surfaces are 

 marked by the right and left longitudinal grooves (Sulcus longitudinalis dexter, 

 sinister), which indicate externally the division of the rumen into dorsal and ventral 

 sacs.i The reticular (or anterior) extremity (Extremitas reticularis) is divided 

 ventrally by a transverse anterior groove (Sulcus ruminis cranialis) into two sacs. 

 The dorsal sac is the longer of the two, and curves ventrally over the round, blind 



Fig. 387. — Stomach and Spleen of Ox; Left View. 

 1, Left longitudinal groove of rumen; 2, rumino-reticular groove (not so distinct dorsally as shown here); 3, an- 

 terior groove of rumen; 4, posterior groove of rumen; 5, 6, coronary grooves; 7, 8, anterior, 9, 10, posterior, bUnd 

 sacs of rumen. 



end of the ventral sac. The former is continuous with the reticulum, the external 

 hne of demarcation being the rumino-reticular groove (Sulcus rumino-reticularis). 

 The groove is deep ventrally and is distinct on part of the lateral surface, but dorsally 

 no natural separation exists, the rumen and reticulum together forming a dome- 

 like vestibule (Atrium ventriculi) on which the cesophagus terminates. The pelvic 

 (or posterior) extremity (Extremitas pelvina), extends nearly to the pubis; it is 

 related to the intestine and bladder, and to the uterus in the cow. It is divided 

 into dorsal and ventral blind sacs (Saccus csecus caudalis dorsalis, ventralis) by a 

 deep transverse posterior groove (Sulcus ruminis caudalis), which connects the 

 longitudinal grooves. The blind sacs are marked off from the remainder of the 



' It has been customary to term the sacs left and right respectively, but these do not repre- 

 sent the relations as they exist in situ and as they are presented on frozen sections. When the 

 stomach is removed in the soft state, it loses its shape and the dorsal and ventral sacs of the rumen 

 become left and right. 



