proventriculus

[ proh-ven-trik-yuh-luhs ]

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

Origin of proventriculus

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

Other words from proventriculus

  • pro·ven·tric·u·lar, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for proventriculus

proventriculus

/ (ˌprəʊvɛnˈtrɪkjʊləs) /


nounplural -triculi (-ˈtrɪkjʊˌlaɪ)
  1. the first part of the stomach of birds, the gizzard

  2. the thick muscular stomach of crustaceans and insects; gizzard

Origin of proventriculus

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

Derived forms of proventriculus

  • proventricular, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012