Species difference

NASAL CAVITY
(Sheep, Goat, Horse, Pig, Dog, Rabbit, Fowl)

Sheep and Goat

  • Generally resembles ox with little modifications. The nostrils are nearly horizontal slits
  • The ductus incisivus is short

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Horse

  • The nasal cavity is longer and cylindrical
  • The nostrils are very dilatable and are divided by the alar fold into a small blind diverticulum on the upper part -the false nostril and a large lower part - true nostril
  • The naso-lacrimal orifice is visible on the floor of the true nostril about 2" behind the inferior commissure
  • The ductus incisivus is blind at its dorsal end

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Pig

  • The nostrils are situated in the flat cranial surface of the rostrum or snout, a short cylindrical projection with which the upper lip is fused and is circumscribed by a prominent circular margin
  •  The nostrils cannot be dilated much because they are embedded within the skeleton of the face
  • The nose is extended from the snout to the level of the eye
  • In the snout, a bone, os rostri between the nostrils is seen as an adaptation to the habit of burrowing or rooting
  • The skin covering the snout is pigmented and divided by shallow grooves
  • These surface markings are specific for individual animals and helpful in identification
  • The nasal cavity is long and narrow
  • The incisive duct and vomero-nasal organ are as in ox

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Dog

  • The nostrils are comma-shaped (See the Comma-shaped nostril)
  • The nasal cavity varies greatly in different breeds
  • It is almost completely occupied by the turbinate bones

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Rabbit

  • The nostrils are in the form of elongated slits between the nasal flap and the upper jaw
  • The nasal bones are well built and the nasal cavities are extended

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Fowl

  • The nostrils are two narrow oval openings placed at the base of the upper beak and these are cartilaginous
  • The cavity opens into the mouth and pharynx by a long narrow slit like opening
  • The dorsal border of the nostrils are bounded by a small piece of horny skin-the operculum

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Last modified: Saturday, 21 April 2012, 5:45 AM