Cat Dissection Questions

1. The larynx protects the entrance to the trachea and regulates both the inspiration and
expiration of air. The ribs and sternum protect the whole respiratory structure.

2. Gas exchange takes place in the millions of alveoli in the lungs and the capillaries that
envelop them.
3.
a. Skeletal muscle tissue
b. When you inhale, your diaphragm contracts (tightens) and moves downward. This
creates more space in your chest cavity, allowing the lungs to expand. When you
exhale, the opposite happens — your diaphragm relaxes and moves upward in the
chest cavity.
4. The circulatory and respiratory systems work together to circulate blood and oxygen
throughout the body. The circulatory system transports the oxygen from the respiratory
system to the rest of the body, which allows the respiratory system to get rid of the
carbon dioxide in the body.
5. The right lung of a human has three lobes because it is slightly larger than the left lung.
The left lung is smaller because of the space taken up by the heart. This difference most
likely exists because the heart is normally located on the left side of humans, taking up
space for only two lobes to be present in the left lung so cats have more space.
6. When a cat inhales, fresh air moves through the nose (or mouth), pharynx, and larynx to
the trachea. The trachea then carries the air to the bronchi, which begin to supply the
lungs. Air exchange occurs in the alveoli and the used air (carbon dioxide) follows the
opposite path of the new air, passing into the bronchi, through the trachea, through the
larynx and pharynx, then finally exiting the body out the mouth or nose.
7. The C-shaped cartilaginous rings allow the trachea to collapse slightly at its opening, so
food can safely and easily pass down the esophagus after swallowing.
Label The Parts
1. Nasal Cavity
2. Buccal Cavity
3. Larynx
4. Trachea
5. Lung (cranial lobe)
6. Diaphragm

1. Nostril/ Nasal Cavity

2. Mouth/Oral Cavity
3. Larynx
4. Right lung (apex) (superior lobe)
5. Bronchi
6. Diaphragm
7. Pharynx
8. Trachea
9. Bronchi
10. Bronchioles
11. Alveoli
Short Answer Questions

1. Boyle’s law states that pressure and volume are inversely related. When air flows in
volume increases and pressure decreases, when air flows out the intrapulmonary
pressure equilibrates with atmospheric pressure.
2. Resistance is highest in the medium-sized bronchioles because as the progressive
branching of airways grows, the airways get smaller.
3. Lung compliance measures changes in lung volume which occurs with given change
in transpulmonary pressure. Higher compliance makes breathing easier. Alveolar
surface tension attracts liquid molecules to one another at gas-liquid interface, which
resists any force that tends to increase surface area of liquid. Airway resistance allows
gas flow changes inversely with resistance. Mike is most likely experiencing airway
resistance because his bronchioles are constricting air.
4. Intrapulmonary pressure needs to happen to decrease to allow more air in during his
asthma attacks.
5. It works to decrease the intrapulmonary pressure through the accessory muscles to
help increase thoracic cage dimensions in inspiration. As for expiration, abdomen
muscles and internal intercostals are recruited to force air out.
6. Both the FVC and FEV1 should be greater than or equal to 80%, so Mike's values tell
us that he has respiratory dysfunction. Asthma is classified as an obstructive disease
because the reactive airways narrow and increase resistance, thus obstructing normal
air flow. Mike does not have the ability to generate enough intrapulmonary pressure
to compensate entirely for the excessive resistance, so normalized air flow on
exhalation, particularly in the first second, cannot happen.
7. Beta-2 adrenergic agonists are used to treat respiratory diseases such as bronchial
asthma. Relaxing smooth muscle will dilate the bronchioles, which will allow more
air to flow in.