Ultrasonographic Study of the Reticulum in Healthy Cow

The main aims of this study were to obtain technique and to present ultrasonographic findings of reticulum and adjacent organs of native and mixed breed healthy cows. The reticulum and some adjacent organs were examined ultrasonographically in 15 healthy native and mixed breed cattle. Ultrasonography was performed on standing، nonsedated cattle، with linear and convex transducers. Transducer was applied to the ventral aspect of abdominal cavity، caudal to the xyphoid and the most ventral part of both thoracic walls over the sixth and seventh intercostals spaces. Evaluation included assessment of the contour of the reticulum، reticular contractions، and the organs adjacent to the reticulum. The normal reticulum appeared as a half-circle structure with a smooth contour and a hyperechoic wall; it contracted at regular intervals and was situated immediately adjacent to the ventral portion of the abdominal wall when relaxed. Contents of the reticulum could not be imaged because of its partly gaseous composition. The ruminoreticular groove، craniodorsal blind sac of the rumen، and the ventral sac of the rumen were observed caudal to the reticulum. The distal aspect of the spleen and parts of the abomasum could be imaged. Reticular motility was characterized by a bi-phasic contraction pattern. Four to five biphasic reticular contractions usually were observed during a 4 minutes period. The first reticular contraction lasted a mean (± SD) of 2. 69 (±0. 30) seconds and the second contraction lasted 4. 05 (±0. 55) seconds. The mean interval between 2 biphasic contractions was 46. 2 (±4. 5) seconds. Based on our findings، ultrasonography is useful for assessing the reticulum.