noun
abomasum
ab-oh-MAY-sum
Abomasum (noun) means the fourth and final chamber of the stomach of a cow or other ruminant, or its lining when used as food. Example: “The vet examined the calf's abomasum for signs of a blockage.”
noun
1
technical The fourth and final chamber of the stomach of a cow or other ruminant, or its lining when used as food.
"The vet examined the calf's abomasum for signs of a blockage."
"In traditional cheesemaking, rennet was taken from the abomasum of young lambs."
"Cheesemakers once got their rennet from the abomasa of young lambs and kids before weaning."
How to use abomasum
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe final, acid-producing chamber in a ruminant's multi-part stomach.
When to use it
Abomasum is a specialist term used mainly in biology, veterinary science and food production.
Memory tip
Keep abomasum separate from omasum, the third and quite different chamber that comes before it.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
Common pairings
abomasum of a cow
lining of the abomasum
rennet from the abomasum
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The vet examined the calf's _____ for signs of a blockage.
Etymology
Formed in New Latin from ab-, meaning away from, and omasum, an older word for the tripe of a bullock.
Synonyms
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rennet stomach
rennet bag
reed tripe
Rhymes for abomasum
See all rhymes for abomasum →Frequently asked questions
What is the abomasum?
It is the fourth compartment of a ruminant's stomach, the one that comes after the omasum and works most like a human stomach.
Which animals have an abomasum?
Ruminants such as cattle, sheep and goats, since they have a four-chambered stomach.
Why is the abomasum linked to cheesemaking?
Rennet, an enzyme used to set milk into cheese, was traditionally taken from the abomasum of young animals.
What is the meaning of abomasum?
"abomasum" (noun) means the fourth and final chamber of the stomach of a cow or other ruminant, or its lining when used as food.
