Animal Anatomy: Respiratory System

What are the main functions of the respiratory system?

gaseous exchange via external respiration, regulating acidity, assisting in temperature control, and voice production

What species has very delicate nostrils?

horses

Name the structures that separate the nasal cavity from the mouth cavity.

the soft and hard palates

What are conchae or nasal turbinate?

Conchae are bones that divide the nasal cavity into the dorsal nasal meatus, middle nasal meatus, and ventral nasal meatus. They are very vascular and are lined with pseudostratified epithelium.

What structures in conchae help to filter, warm and humidify the inspired air in the nasal passages?

pseudostratified epithelium

Name the three nasal passages or meatuses.

dorsal nasal meatus, middle nasal meatus, and ventral nasal meatus

Name the cranial nerve that carries the impulses of smell to the brain.

olfactory nerve

What is cribriform plate and what is its anatomical importance?

horizontal part of the ethmoid in which the nerve fibers from the olfactory nerves pass through

Name the sensory organ located in nasal cavity that helps detecting chemicals in dogs.

vemeronasal organ

What are sinuses?

air filled cavities in the frontal and maxilla bones

Name the sinus that may get infected when dehorning an adult cow.

frontal sinus

Name the organ that serves as a common passage for both food and air.

pharynx

List all the structures that open into the pharynx.

There are two openings of the caudal part of the nasal cavities, one opening of the caudal part of the mouth, one opening of the cranial part of the esophagus, one opening of the glottis, and two openings of eustachian tubes.

List all the cartilages of the larynx.

epiglottis, thyroid cartilage, cricoid cartilage, and two arytenoid cartilages

Which cartilage prevents the contents of the oral cavity from entering into the trachea during swallowing?

epiglottis

Name the cartilage that is ring shaped and helps in maintaining the shape of the larynx.

cricoid cartilage

Name the cartilages that help close the laryngeal opening (glottis).

arytenoid cartilages

What structures in larynx help in production of voice?

vocal cords

Vocal cords are attached to which laryngeal cartilages?

arytenoid cartilages

Why are the cartilage rings of the trachea c-shaped and incomplete dorsally?

to allow compression for swallowing

What part of trachea is called "carina"?

the two bronchi near the base of the heart

List all the subdivisions of the tracheal tree (in order from largest to smallest).

trachea, bronchi, secondary bronchi, bronchioles, alveolar ducts, and alveoli

What are alveoli and what is their main function?

sac like structures that enable gaseous exchange between air and blood

What substance prevents collapsing of alveoli when air moves in and out during breathing?

surfactant

Name the membrane that covers the lungs.

pleura

Name all the lobes on right side of lung in dogs and cats.

cranial, middle, caudal, and accessory lobes

Name all the lobes on left side of lung in dogs and cats.

cranial lobe divided into the cranial-cranial and cranial-caudal lobes, followed by a caudal lobe

What is pneumothorax?

excess air in the chest cavity between the lung and chest wall

What is atelectasis?

incomplete expansion or partial lung collapse

Name the two major muscles that help in respiration.

intercostal muscles and thoracic muscles