— proventricular , adj.
/proh'ven trik"yeuh leuhs/ , n. , pl. proventriculi /-trik"yeuh luy'/ .
1. the glandular portion of the stomach of birds, in which food is partially digested before passing to the ventriculus or gizzard.
2. a similar enlargement in the alimentary tract of several invertebrates, variously modified for maceration and digestion.
[ 1825-35; PRO- 1 + VENTRICULUS ]