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 dorsalis) 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 connective 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.! The reticular (or anterior) extremity (Extremitas reticularis) is divided 
ventrally by a transverse anterior groove (Sulcus ruminis cranialis) into two saes. 
The dorsal sac is the longer of the two, and curves ventrally over the round, blind 
. t See 
Ventral curval 
Fic. 387.—SromMacwH AND SPLEEN OF Ox; Lert 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, blind 
sacs of rumen. 
end of the ventral sac. The former is continuous with the reticulum, the external 
line 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 esophagus 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 czecus caudalis dorsalis, ventralis) by & 
deep transverse posterior groove (Sulcus ruminis caudalis), which connects the 
longitudinal grooves. The blind sacs are marked off from the remainder of the 
1Tt has been customary to term the sacs left and right respectively, but these do not repre- 
sent the relations as they exist im 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. 
