ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˈtrikyələs noun
also pro·ven·tri·cule prōˈven.trəˌkyül
( plural proventricu·li -yəˌlī ; also proventricules )
Etymology: New Latin proventriculus, from pro- (I) + ventriculus
1. : the glandular or true stomach of a bird situated between the crop when a crop is present and the gizzard and usually separated from the gizzard by a constriction
2. : a muscular dilatation of the foregut in front of the midgut in most mandibulate insects that is usually armed internally with chitinous teeth or plates for triturating food
3. : the thin-walled sac in front of the gizzard of an earthworm : crop