proventriculus

[ proh-ven-trik-yuh-luhs ]

noun

, plural pro·ven·tric·u·li [proh-ven-, trik, -y, uh, -lahy].

1. the glandular portion of the stomach of birds, in which food is partially digested before passing to the ventriculus or gizzard.
2. a similar enlargement in the alimentary tract of several invertebrates, variously modified for maceration and digestion.

proventriculus

/ ˌprəʊvɛnˈtrɪkjʊləs /

noun

1. the first part of the stomach of birds, the gizzard
2. the thick muscular stomach of crustaceans and insects; gizzard

Derived Forms

• ˌprovenˈtricular, adjective

Other Words From

• proven·tricu·lar adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of proventriculus¹

First recorded in 1825–35; pro- ¹ + ventriculus

Word History and Origins

Origin of proventriculus¹

C19: from New Latin, from Latin pro- ¹+ ventriculus little belly, from venter belly

Example Sentences

These findings included the first description of overproduction of scar tissue in the birds’ proventriculus – the part of their stomach where chemical digestion occurs. 

From Scientific American

The researchers found a positive relationship between the amount of plastic in the proventriculus and the degree of scarring.

From Scientific American

They dissected a glandular organ in the birds called a proventriculus, which functions essentially like the first part of the stomach of other animals.

From Salon

"We identified significant evidence for widespread plastic-related scar tissue formation in the proventriculus of wild seabirds," the authors wrote in what is likely the first study to thoroughly document plastic-induced fibrosis in wild organisms.

From Salon

Before anything enters a bird's gizzard, an organ for grinding up food, the proventriculus secretes digestive enzymes and hydrochloric acid to break down meals.

From Salon