Poultry Judging Practice Test

What part of the poultry digestive system contains cells that secrete gastric juices?

1. Proventriculus

2. Gizzard

3. Crop

4. Small intestine

The correct answer is: Proventriculus

The proventriculus is the part of the poultry digestive system that is responsible for secreting gastric juices. It is essentially the glandular stomach of birds and plays a key role in the initial stages of digestion. The proventriculus contains specialized cells that produce enzymes and hydrochloric acid, which are critical for breaking down food materials, particularly proteins. This secretion of gastric juices is essential for efficient digestion, preparing the food for further processing in the gizzard. In contrast, the gizzard primarily functions as a grinding organ, utilizing muscular contractions to mechanically break down food particles but does not produce gastric juices. The crop serves as a storage area where ingested food can be moistened before moving on to the stomach. The small intestine is mainly involved in nutrient absorption after the initial digestion has occurred. Thus, the proventriculus is uniquely equipped for the secretion of gastric juices, making it the correct answer.