Animal: Adult, dairy cow.
Organ: Reticulo-omasal groove.
Diagnosis: Keratinized unguiculate papillae, normal finding.
Findings: Several keratinized light brown, hard and curved structures were noted alongside the reticulo-omasal groove with partial obstruction of normal passage of feed. Comments: These unguiculiform papillae (papilla unguiculiformes) are variably-sized firm and claw-like keratinized papillae that usually are located along the borders of the reticulo-omasal groove. The papillae can cause a structural obstruction towards the omasum as they may prevent relatively large food particles to pass. In young milk-fed calves, they tend to have a white aspect and get darker over time.
Contributor: Nermin Caliskan, Animal health lab Flanders (DGZ Vlaanderen), BELGIUM.
Bibliography: King et al (2013, revised version). The Necropsy Book: A guide for veterinary students, residents, clinicians, pathologists, and biological researchers (7th edition). Gastrointestinal. Charles Louis Davis, D.V.M. Foundation, p74.