Ruminant Digestive System
Dr. Thomas Caceci
The Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine
For the most part, the digestive system of ruminants is very similar to that of other mammals, but the stomach is considerably different from the so-called "monogastric" condition. The word "ruminant" comes from the Latin ruminare, to think; and as wildly laughable as the idea of a cow "thinking" may be, nevertheless, the contemplative and placid expression on a cow’s face as she "chews her cud" does sort of give the impression that she’s dealing with serious world problems.