VPB 121: Veterinary Physiology - II (2+1)

RESPIRATORY TRACT

• It is the conducting portion or airway consists of nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, and terminal bronchioles.

• Pharynx is a common passageway for air and food. The opening from the pharynx leading to the continuation of the airway is the larynx, the organ of phonation (sound production) in mammals.
• It is produced by the controlled passage which causes vibration of vocal cords of larynx.
• The organ of phonation in birds called the syrinx which is located at the junction where trachea divides into bronchi.
• The glottis is the slit-like opening between the vocal cords. Extending craniad from the larynx is the epiglottis.
• It is a leaf shaped plate of cartilage covered with mucous membrane.
• It is located at the root of the tongue, which is passively bent over the larynx during the act of swallowing, thereby preventing the entrance of food into the trachea.