The proventriculus is the glandular portion of the avian compound stomach, and a rather peculiar organ it is. There's nothing like it in mammals. [6] Anatomy of the avian digestive system. The proventriculus is located early in the digestive tract, and is associated with the gizzard.

The proventriculus is a storage organ in fish and flesh eating birds. It is appropriate to a soft diet and secretes digestive enzymes. It contacts the left lobe of the liver ventrally and laterally.

Proventriculus and Gizzard. The avian “stomach” consists of these two chambers. The proventriulus more closely resembles the mammalian stomach. The proventriculus is lined by compound glands that secrete mucus, pepsin and hydrochloric acid.

The proventriculus is the glandular compartment, which is functionally equivalent to the mammalian stomach. The proventriculus is a fusiform organ that varies in size and shape among avian species, being relatively small in granivorous species and relatively large in carnivorous and piscivorous species (Figs. 1 and 2) .

Birds have a glandular stomach, or proventriculus, and muscular stomach or gizzard. The glandular stomach receives food from the esophagus, and secretes mucus, HCl and pepsinogen, similar to what is seen in the mammalian stomach .

A basic understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the proventriculus and ventriculus is useful in integrating the pathophysiology and clinical signs associated with variable disease processes. It is also essential to evaluate radiographs and endoscopic images, perform diagnostic techniques, make a diagnosis, and provide appropriate therapy.

The proventriculus produces hydrochloric acid and pepsinogen to aid in protein digestion. It is located between the esophagus and the gizzard in bird anatomy. Unlike mammals, birds have a two-part stomach system, with the proventriculus being one part and the gizzard being the other.

The proventriculus is one of two parts of a bird’s stomach. This organ has a very acidic pH and is used to soften food so that it is easier for the bird to digest. Food that cannot be digested in the proventriculus is moved to the gizzard, where gravel and debris work to break food down.

The proventriculus is a fusiform organ that varies in size and shape among avian species, being relatively small in granivorous species and relatively large in carnivorous and piscivorous species (Figs. 1 and 2) [2].

The proventriculus and ventriculus play a crucial role in pro- viding an adequate environment for the physical and chemical reduction of the size and molecular complexity of a bird’s diet.