What happens in the four compartments of a ruminant?

 1. The rumen

This is the first chamber and the primary site for microbial fermentation.

2. The reticulum

This is the second stomach looks like a honeycomb. Heavy or dense food, or foreign objects will settle here and can be life threatening because it's so close to heart.

3. The rumen

The rumen and reticulum together forms the reticulorumen, which comprises 84% of the stomach.

4. The omasum

The omasum has a lot of inner folds and this improves absorption of water, nutrients and fatty acids.

5. The abomasum

This is the final stomach. Rennet is secreted here which is used to make chease.