Editing Gizzard

{{Short description|Digestive organ of some animals}}
{{For|the open source sharding framework|Gizzard (Scala framework)}}
[[File:Gizzard of Chicken.JPG|thumb|250x250px|Gizzard of a chicken]]

The '''gizzard''', also referred to as the '''ventriculus''', '''gastric mill''', and '''gigerium''', is an [[Organ (anatomy)|organ]] found in the [[digestive tract]] of some animals, including [[archosaurs]] ([[bird]]s and other [[dinosaurs]], [[crocodile]]s, [[alligator]]s, [[pterosaur]]s), [[earthworm]]s, some [[gastropod]]s, some [[fish]], and some [[crustacean]]s. This specialized [[stomach]] constructed of thick muscular walls is used for grinding up food, often aided by particles of stone or grit. In certain [[insects]] and [[molluscs]], the gizzard features [[chitin]]ous plates or teeth.

==Etymology==
The word ''gizzard'' comes from the [[Middle English]] ''giser'', which derives from a similar word in [[Old French]] ''gésier'', which itself evolved from the [[Latin]] ''gigeria'', meaning [[giblets]].<ref name=mw>{{cite web |url=http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gizzard |title=Gizzard |publisher=Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary |access-date=2009-02-05}}</ref>

==Structure==
[[File:Gizzard.png|thumb|Chicken gizzard cross-section. (1) [[Proventriculus]] (2) [[Esophagus]] (3) Stones (4) Muscular wall of gizzard (5) [[Duodenum]]]]
[[File:PigeonAnatomy.png|thumb|240px|The gizzard (serial 8) of a [[pigeon]], seen at the right of the [[duodenum]] between the legs.]]

===In birds===
[[Bird anatomy|Birds]] swallow food and store it in their [[Crop (anatomy)|crop]] if necessary. Then the food passes into their glandular stomach, also called the [[proventriculus]], which is also sometimes referred to as the true stomach. This is the secretory part of the stomach. Then the food passes into the gizzard (also known as the ''muscular stomach'' or ''ventriculus''). The gizzard can grind the food with [[gastrolith|previously swallowed grit]] and pass it back to the true stomach, and vice versa. In layman's terms, the gizzard 'chews' the food for the bird because it does not have teeth to chew food the way humans and other mammals do. 

By comparison, although in birds the stomach occurs in the digestive tract prior to the gizzard, in grasshoppers the gizzard occurs prior to the stomach, while in earthworms there is only a gizzard, and no stomach.

=== Koilin lining ===
In order to protect the muscles of the gizzard, the organ has a multi-layered membrane - or gastric cuticle - made of koilin, a carbohydrate-protein complex (and not keratin as once believed) to protect the muscles.<ref>{{cite book |last1=King |first1=Anthony Stuart |last2=McLelland |first2=John |title=Birds: Their Structure and Function |date=1984 |publisher=Baillière Tindall |location=London Philadelphia Toronto [etc.] |isbn=0702008729 |edition=2nd |url=https://avian-vet.com/blog/resources-for-veterinarians-5/birds-structure-and-function-free-pdf-4 |access-date=30 March 2025}}</ref> The thickness of this membrane varies with the types of food the animal eats, with diets heavier in grains, seeds, and insects creating thicker membranes than those consisting of fruits, worms, meat, and other softer edibles. In some animals the membrane is slowly worn and replaced over time, while others will discard the worn lining in its entirety periodically.<ref name=":0">{{cite journal |last1=Akester |first1=A. R. |title=Structure of the glandular layer and koilin membrane in the gizzard of the adult domestic fowl (Gallus gallus domesticus) |journal=Journal of Anatomy |date=August 1986 |volume=147 |pages=1–25 |pmc=1261543 |pmid=3693065 }}</ref>

The lining is critical to the proper functioning of the gizzard, but in some animals it can play an additional role as well.  The male [[hornbill]], for example, will fill its gizzard with fruit and then slough off the entire membrane to present it like a 'bag of fruit' to its mate during the nesting season.<ref name=":0" />

===Gizzard stones===
Some animals that lack teeth will swallow stones or grit to aid in fragmenting hard foods. All birds have gizzards, but not all will swallow stones or grit. Those that do employ the following method of chewing:

{{quote|A bird swallows small bits of gravel that act as 'teeth' in the gizzard, breaking down hard food such as seeds and thus helping digestion.{{sfn|Solomon|Berg|Martin|2002|p={{pn|date=January 2025}}}}}}

These stones are called ''gizzard stones'' or ''[[gastrolith]]s'' and usually become round and smooth from the polishing action in the animal's stomach. When too smooth to do their required work, they may be excreted or regurgitated.

==Animals with gizzards==

===Mammals===
[[Pangolin]]s lack teeth and grind their food in a gizzard-like structure alongside pebbles.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LD1nDlzXYicC&dq=pangolin+gizzard&pg=PA159 | title=Mammalogy | isbn=978-0-7637-6299-5 | last1=Vaughan | first1=Terry | last2=Ryan | first2=James | last3=Czaplewski | first3=Nicholas | date=21 April 2011 | publisher=Jones & Bartlett Learning }}</ref>

===Birds and other archosaurs===
All birds have gizzards. The gizzards of [[emu]]s, [[domesticated turkey|turkeys]], [[chickens]], and [[ducks]] are most notable in cuisine (see below). [[Crocodilia|Crocodilians]] such as [[alligator]]s and [[crocodile]]s also have gizzards.

[[Dinosaur]]s that are believed to have had gizzards based on the discovery of gizzard stones recovered near fossils include:

* ''[[Psittacosaurus]]''
* ''[[Massospondylus]]''
* ''[[Sellosaurus]]''
* ''[[Omeisaurus]]''
* ''[[Apatosaurus]]''
* ''[[Barosaurus]]''
* ''[[Dicraeosaurus]]''
* ''[[Seismosaurus]]''

The belief that ''[[Claosaurus]]'' had a gizzard has been discredited on the grounds that the fossil remains this claim was based on were another species and the stones merely from a stream.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Carpenter |first1=Kenneth |title=Horns and Beaks: Ceratopsian and Ornithopod Dinosaurs |date=2007 |publisher=Indiana University Press |isbn=978-0-253-34817-3 |pages=199 }}</ref>

At least some pterosaurs seemingly had gizzards. The most notable cases are ''[[Pterodaustro]]'' (inferred via gastroliths) and ''[[Rhamphorhynchus]]'' (directly preserved).<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Codorniú |first1=L |last2=Chiappe |first2=L M |last3=Arcucci |first3=A |last4=Ortiz-Suarez |first4=A |date=2009 |title=First occurrence of gastroliths in Pterosauria (Early Cretaceous, Argentina) |journal=Ameghiniana |volume=46 |issue=4 Suppl |pages=15R–16R }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Witton |first1=Mark P. |title=Pterosaurs: Natural History, Evolution, Anatomy |date=2013 |publisher=Princeton University Press |isbn=978-0-691-15061-1 }}{{pn|date=January 2025}}</ref>

Carnivorous birds such as [[birds of prey]] as well as [[kiwi (bird)|kiwi]]s have membranuous gizzards as opposed to the sub-compressed gizzards of most birds.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Sales |first1=James |title=Digestive Physiology and Nutrition of Ratites |journal=Avian and Poultry Biology Reviews |date=30 May 2006 |volume=17 |issue=3 |pages=41–55 |doi=10.3184/147020606783437912 |doi-broken-date=4 February 2025 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Enoki |first1=Yasunori |last2=Morimoto |first2=Tomotoshi |title=Gizzard myoglobin contents and feeding habits in avian species |journal=Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Molecular & Integrative Physiology |date=January 2000 |volume=125 |issue=1 |pages=33–43 |doi=10.1016/S1095-6433(99)00161-0 |pmid=10779729 }}</ref>

Conversely, it is thought that some extinct birds like [[Enantiornithes]] did not have gizzards.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=O'Connor |first1=Jingmai K. |last2=Zhou |first2=Zhonghe |title=The evolution of the modern avian digestive system: insights from paravian fossils from the Yanliao and Jehol biotas |journal=Palaeontology |date=January 2020 |volume=63 |issue=1 |pages=13–27 |doi=10.1111/pala.12453 |bibcode=2020Palgy..63...13O }}</ref>

===Fish===
The mullet ([[Mugilidae]]) found in [[Estuary|estuarine]] waters worldwide, and the gizzard or mud [[shad]], found in freshwater lakes and streams from New York to Mexico, have gizzards.
The [[gillaroo]] (''Salmo stomachius''), a richly colored species of [[trout]] found in [[Lough Melvin]], a lake in the north of Ireland, has a gizzard which is used to aid the digestion of water snails, the main component of its diet.

===Crustaceans===
[[File:Krillanatomykils.jpg|thumb|right|Body structure of a krill, showing the gastric mill ({{aka}} gizzard) in a typical crustacean]]
Some crustaceans have a gizzard although this is usually referred to as a gastric mill.<ref name="Sakai">{{cite journal |title=The diphyletic nature of the infraorder Thalassinidea (Decapoda, Pleocyemata) as derived from the morphology of the gastric mill |journal=Crustaceana |date=2004 |volume=77 |issue=9 |pages=1117–1129 |doi=10.1163/1568540042900268 |jstor=20107419 |last1=Sakai |first1=K. }}</ref>

===Earthworms===
[[Earthworm]]s also have gizzards.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Edwards |first1=Clive A. |title=Biology and Ecology of Earthworms |last2=Bohlen |first2=P.J. |publisher=Chapman & Hall |year=1996 |isbn=978-0-412-56160-3 |edition=3rd |publication-place=London |pages=13–15 |chapter=The alimentary canal |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ad4rDwD_GhsC&q=gizzard&pg=PA13}}</ref>

==In cuisine==
[[File:FriedGizzards.JPG|thumb|Fried gizzards and livers]]

[[Poultry]] gizzards are a popular food throughout the world.

Grilled [[chicken]] gizzards are sold as [[street food]] in [[Haiti]] and throughout [[Southeast Asia]]. They are considered [[offal]]. 

[[Giblets]] consist of the heart, liver and gizzard of a bird, and are often eaten themselves or used as the basis for a soup or stock.

Gizzard and mashed potato is a popular dish in many European countries.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}

===Europe===
Stewed gizzards are eaten as a snack in [[Portugal]], with a tomato based sauce.

In [[Spain]], they are cooked on the [[plancha]], and eaten while they are crispy on the outside.

In [[Hungary]], it is made with [[paprika]] as ''zúza [[pörkölt]]''.

In [[France]], especially the [[Dordogne]] region, duck gizzards are eaten in the traditional [[Périgordian]] salad, along with [[walnuts]], [[croutons]] and [[lettuce]].

In [[Italy]], gizzards are often used mixed with other [[offal]].

In [[East Slavs|eastern Slavic]] countries, gizzards are the basis of many soups, such as [[rassolnik]].

In [[Yiddish]], gizzards are referred to as ''pupik'lech'' (also pipiklach, in its less normative form), literally meaning [[navel]]s. The gizzards of [[kosher]] species of birds have a green or yellowish membrane lining the inside, which must be peeled off before cooking, as it lends a very bitter taste to the food. In traditional Eastern European [[Jewish cuisine]], the gizzards, necks and feet of chickens were often cooked together, although not the [[liver]], which per kosher law must be [[broil]]ed. Kosher butchers often sell roasting chickens with the gizzard, neck and feet butchered and left in the cavity to be used for making [[chicken soup]].

===Asia===
In [[Indonesia]], gizzard and liver (''ati ampela'') are considered part of a complete fried poultry dish.

In [[Japan]], gizzard is called ''zuri'' or ''sunagimo''; usually it is cooked in [[yakitori]] (Japanese style skewered barbecue). In [[Kyushu]] (southern Japan), gizzard is fried into [[karaage]].

In [[Korea]], chicken gizzard, called ''[[dak-ttongjip]]'', is stir-fried and eaten as [[anju (food)|anju]] or [[yasik]]. In some places, it is prepared raw and eaten mixed with garlic and onion.

In [[Taiwan]], gizzards are often slow-cooked and served hot or cold in slices, with green onions and soy sauce. Skewered deep-fried gizzards without [[batter (cooking)|batter]] are also popular and served on the menu of many [[Taiwanese fried chicken|fried chicken store]]s.

In [[Mainland China]], [[duck]] gizzard is a common snack, eaten alongside other duck parts such as feet, neck, heart, tongue, or head.<ref>[[Victor Mair]] (2015), [http://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/nll/?p=16913 Chinese words and characters for "gizzard"], ''Language Log'', 7 January 2015.</ref> Areas famous for their gizzard are [[Sichuan]] and [[Hubei]] provinces. [[Wuhan]] city in Hubei is famous for its brand of spicy gizzard, called ''jiujiuya'' (Simplified Chinese: 久久鸭). In Northern China, one can find barbecued duck gizzard.

The word ''sangdana'' is commonly used to refer to chicken gizzards in Northern [[India]]. The word is derived from [[Persian language|Persian]] (sang = stone and dana = grain). Another name is ''pathri''. It may be served cooked in a curry, while barbecued skewered gizzards are also popular.
In [[Kerala]], vattum-karulum (literally translates to gizzard-liver curry) is a popular dish.

In [[Iran]], some [[kebab]] restaurants mix chicken gizzards in their [[koobideh]] kebabs to increase the meat content. Gizzards are usually cooked at the same time along with chicken, packets of gizzards are also sold separately.

In [[Nepal]], gizzard is called ''jaatey'' or ''pangra''. It is eaten most often with drinks.

In the [[Philippines]], gizzard is called "Balun Balunan". It is usually cooked as a street food in a skewered barbecue style, though some households treat it like an entree. The most common style is "Adobo".

===Africa===
In [[Ghana]] and [[Togo]], it is eaten boiled, fried or grilled. Grilled, skewered gizzards, with spices and optional green peppers and onions, are popular.

In [[Nigeria]], gizzard is either grilled or fried and served with stew and fried [[Plantain (cooking)|plantain]], known as [[gizdodo]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Eat Me: How To Make Gizdodo – The Whistler Newspaper |url=https://thewhistler.ng/eat-me-how-to-make-gizdodo/amp/ |access-date=2022-06-23 |website=thewhistler.ng}}</ref> Skewered gizzards are also popular. 

In [[Kenya]], [[Uganda]], [[Cameroon]] and [[Nigeria]], the gizzard of a cooked chicken is traditionally set aside for the oldest or most respected male at the table.

In [[Uganda]], gizzard and other giblets are now commonly sold separately in the frozen section of supermarkets.

===Americas===
[[Pickling|Pickle]]d [[domesticated turkey|turkey]] gizzards are a traditional food in some parts of the [[Midwestern United States]]. In [[Chicago]], gizzard is battered, deep fried and served with [[french fries]] and sauce. The [[Chamber of Commerce]] in [[Potterville, Michigan]] has held a Gizzard Fest each June since 2000; a gizzard-eating contest is among the weekend's events.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gizzardfest.com/gizzardfest.html |title=Gizzard Fest |publisher=Potterville Chamber of Commerce |access-date=2009-02-05}}</ref> In the [[Southern United States]], the gizzard is typically served fried, sometimes eaten with hot sauce or honey mustard, or added to [[crawfish]] boil along with crawfish [[sauce]], and it is also used in traditional New Orleans [[gumbo]].

In [[Mexico]], they are eaten with rice or with chicken soup. They are also served grilled and prepared scrambled with eggs, onions, garlic and salsa; and served with beans and tortillas for breakfast and other meals.

In [[Trinidad and Tobago]], gizzards are curried and served with rice or [[roti]] bread; it can also be stewed.

== Generic meaning ==
The term "gizzards" can also, by extension, refer to the general guts, innards or entrails of animals.<ref name=mw />

== References ==
=== Citations ===
{{reflist}}

=== General and cited sources ===
* {{cite book |last1=Solomon |first1=Eldra Pearl |last2=Berg |first2=Linda R. |last3=Martin |first3=Diana W. |title=Biology |date=2002 |publisher=Brooks/Cole Thomson Learning |isbn=978-0-03-033503-7 }}
* Dyce, Sack, Wensing, 2002. ''Textbook of Veterinary Anatomy'' Third Edition, [[Saunders (imprint)|Saunders]]. {{ISBN|0-7216-8966-3}}.

[[Category:Animal anatomy]]
[[Category:Bird anatomy]]
[[Category:Dinosaur anatomy]]
[[Category:Offal]]
[[Category:Soul food]]