The reticular groove and drug absorption.

Abstract

The young ruminant animal makes use of the reflex mechanism causing closure of the reticular (sometimes called oesophageal) groove to channel swallowed milk from the oesophagus to the omasal canal. Water drunk to satisfy thirst does not activate this reflex and therefore passes to the rumen. It has been known for a long time that the operation of the reticular groove reflex may persist to a varying degree in the adult ruminant (Schalk & Amadon. 1928), the variability of this response, and the factors affecting it, having been most thoroughly investigated and reviewed by Watson (1944)