Which digestive part serves as the teeth in poultry?

The gizzard serves a crucial role in the digestive system of poultry by functioning as a muscular organ that grinds food, much like teeth do in mammals. Poultry do not have teeth; instead, the gizzard utilizes its strong muscles to process fibrous and hard food items. The food is often mixed with grit, which is small stones or coarse materials that help in breaking down the feed into finer particles during this grinding process. This mechanical breakdown is essential for effective digestion and nutrient absorption in the bird’s system.

The proventriculus, while an important part of the digestive process, is responsible for the secretion of digestive enzymes and acids rather than grinding food. The duodenum plays a role in the enzymatic breakdown and absorption of nutrients but does not participate in mechanical digestion. Overall, the gizzard’s unique function is what enables poultry to efficiently digest their food despite the absence of traditional teeth.