The proventriculus is a standard part of avian anatomy. It is generally a glandular part of the stomach that may store and/or commence digestion of food before it progresses to the gizzard.
The Encarta (2007) holds that the proventriculus is:
Thomas Caceci (College of Veterinary Medicine of VirginiaTech) discusses the proventriculus of the avian stomach and opines that:
The proventriculus is the glandular portion of the avian compound stomach, and a rather peculiar organ it is. There's nothing like it in mammals.
Culinary use
Chicken proventriculus is eaten as street food in the Philippines. This dish is called proben.