The respiratory system moves oxygen from the external environment into the internal environment and also removes carbon dioxide. The respiratory system exchanges gas between the lungs (gills in fish) and the outside environment. It also maintains the pH of the blood and facilitates the exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen.
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Respiratory System and Thermoregulation in Farm Animals
The Respiratory System is one of the major systems of the body, providing oxygen, removing carbon dioxide, and assisting in the removal of excess heat (thermoregulation) and vocal communication. The respiratory system in farm animals is complex and, while there are some similarities with that of mammals, there are several significant differences.
Nasal Cavity Structure in Farm Animals
The Nasal Cavity opens at the nares, located at the base of the comb on the top beak or mandible. The nasal cavity occupies a triangular-shaped space between the nares and the margin of the eye and within the beak. Between the integument and the nasal cavity lie the lacrimal sinuses that empty into the cavity through the lateral wall. The lateral wall of the cavity has three conchae, or projections, into the cavity:
- Anterior covered with squamous epithelium, a single layer of flat cells.
- Medial ciliated columnar epithelium, specialized cube-shaped cells with cilia or hairs that trap foreign material.
- Posterior olfactory membrane, which gives the sense of smell.
Smell and Electrolyte Regulation in Farm Animals
The Olfactory Membrane detects odors or smells, which are the result of special chemicals recognized by the brain via the olfactory nerve. The nasal cavity’s epithelium is endowed with mucosal glands that produce mucus, helping to prevent foreign materials from entering the body through the respiratory system.
Small nasal glands on either side help reduce the electrolyte content in body fluids, especially when levels are higher than the kidneys can manage.
Oropharynx Function in Farm Animals
The Oropharynx consists of the mouth and the pharynx located immediately behind it. The palate is part hard and part soft. The choanal opening from the nasal cavity is the cleft in the palate.
The pharynx begins between the choanal opening and the common opening for the auditory tubes and extends to the rear, carrying the base of the tongue.
Behind the tongue’s base is the rima glottidis, or opening into the larynx, located in a conspicuous mound called the laryngeal prominence. The opening is supported on each side by arytenoid cartilages, which resemble the mouth of a jug.
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Trachea and Respiratory System in Farm Animals
The Trachea is a long tube responsible for moving respiratory gases from the upper respiratory system to the lungs and air sacs, or from the lungs and air sacs to the upper respiratory organs.
In medium-sized adult farm animals, the trachea measures between 15 and 18 centimeters and is supported by 108 to 125 cartilaginous rings that prevent it from collapsing while allowing for elongation. The syrinx, the vocal organ of the fowl, is located at the caudal end of the trachea, suspended within the clavicular air sac.
Gas Exchange in the Lungs of Farm Animals
The Bronchi divide upon entering the lungs, forming four series of secondary bronchi, which then divide further to form tertiary bronchi. These are arranged in layers and facilitate continuous airflow. The tertiary bronchi are lined with squamous epithelium and connect with air capillaries, where gas exchange takes place between the lungs and blood.
Respiration in Farm Animals
Respirationis the movement of oxygen from the outside environment to the cells within tissues and the transport of carbon dioxide in the opposite direction. Physiological respiration refers to respiratory cycles of inhaled and exhaled breaths.
Inhalation is an active movement involving the diaphragm’s contraction, while exhalation is usually passive. Gas exchange occurs in the alveoli, where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged with the blood in the pulmonary capillaries.
Although breathing does not fill the alveoli with fresh atmospheric air during each inhalation, the inhaled air is mixed with residual air, ensuring that the gas composition remains consistent within the body.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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