proventriculus

[ proh-ven-trik-yuh-luh s ]
/ ˌproʊ vɛnˈtrɪk yə ləs /

noun, plural pro·ven·tric·u·li [proh-ven-trik-yuh-lahy] /ˌproʊ vɛnˈtrɪk yəˌlaɪ/.

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

Origin of proventriculus

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

OTHER WORDS FROM proventriculus

pro·ven·tric·u·lar, adjective

Words nearby proventriculus

Example sentences from the Web for proventriculus

British Dictionary definitions for proventriculus

proventriculus
/ (ˌprəʊvɛnˈtrɪkjʊləs) /

noun plural -triculi (-ˈtrɪkjʊˌlaɪ)

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

Derived forms of proventriculus

proventricular, adjective

Word Origin for proventriculus

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