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proventriculus

proventriculus

1 9.9
A gland-like part of a bird's stomach that softens food before the gizzard
  • noun
  • /ˌproʊvɛnˈtrɪkjələs/
  • Specialized
: proventrículo
  • The proventriculus produces digestive enzymes before food passes to the gizzard.

Examples

  • In birds, the proventriculus is located between the esophagus and the gizzard.

  • A healthy proventriculus is essential for proper digestion in poultry.

  • The proventriculus is essential for a bird's digestion.

  • Birds have a proventriculus that helps process their food.

  • The proventriculus produces digestive enzymes before food passes to the gizzard.

  • In birds, the proventriculus is located between the esophagus and the gizzard.

  • A healthy proventriculus is essential for proper digestion in poultry.

Surface Forms

proventriculus singular
proventriculi plural

Morphology

proventriculus = ventriculus (semi-transparent) = pro + ventriculus

Built from the prefix 'pro-' and 'ventriculus'; the morphemes are identifiable but the precise glandular sense in birds is specialized vocabulary.

Etymology

Proventriculus comes from the Latin parts pro- 'before' and ventriculus 'little belly', like the English words ventricle and ventral. So in birds it is the 'little belly before' the gizzard that produces juices to soften food before it is ground.