What is "reticulum"?

The reticulum, also known as the "honeycomb," is a chamber within the digestive system of ruminant animals, such as cows, sheep, and goats. It is one of the four compartments of their specialized stomach, along with the rumen, omasum, and abomasum. The reticulum has a unique structure characterized by a honeycomb-like network of ridges and compartments, which provides mechanical assistance in the breakdown of ingested plant material. It acts as a storage and fermentation chamber, allowing the microbial population within the reticulum to break down fibrous food particles through fermentation and microbial digestion.