The sequence of events which allows material from the reticulum and the rumen to the mouth
1. In the reticulum and rumen, food is mixed with digestive enzymes and microbes to begin the process of digestion.
2. Contractions of the reticulum and rumen muscles help break down the food into smaller particles.
3. When the food is ready to be regurgitated, the reticulum contracts and pushes the partially digested material into the esophagus.
4. The material then travels up the esophagus and into the mouth.
5. Once in the mouth, the cow chews the regurgitated material to further break it down and mix it with saliva.
6. After chewing, the food bolus is swallowed again and travels to the abomasum, the true stomach of the cow, where further digestion takes place.
7. The process of rumination, where the cow regurgitates and re-chews its food, allows for more efficient digestion and absorption of nutrients from the food.