DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL SCIENCE

FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE

BAYERO UNIVERSITY KANO

THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

BY

DR. MUAZU T. A.
(LECTURER)

TITLE: ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY OF FARM ANIMALS

COURSE CODE: ANS 2301

OCTOBER, 2023

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 THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

The respiratory system (also respiratory apparatus, ventilatory system) is a biological system

consisting of specific organs and structures used for gaseous exchange in animals. The anatomy

and physiology that make this happen varies greatly, depending on the size of the organism and

the environment in which it lives. The respiratory system begins at the nose and ends at the distal

alveoli. It is comprised of the upper and lower airways. The upper airway includes the nose,

sinuses, and pharynx. The nose provides olfaction and temperature regulation in hyperthermic

animals. The nasal turbinates initially humidify and warm air, and filter particulate matter. The

lower airways include the trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli. The primary function of the

respiratory system is to deliver oxygen to the lungs to be exchanged with carbon dioxide. The

respiratory system is lined with a mucous membrane that secretes mucus. The mucus traps

smaller particles like pollen or smoke. Hairlike structures called cilia line the mucous membrane

and move the particles trapped in the mucus out of the nose.

Gaseous exchange occurs in the alveoli of the lungs, which are comprised of one-cell-layer-thick

membranes in which oxygen moves into the capillary and where carbon dioxide moves into the

alveoli from the blood in the capillary. Failure or major dysfunction of gas transfer due to disease

leads to respiratory distress or failure.

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 Functions of Respiratory System

 Maintenance of acid-base balance

 Gaseous exchange

 Metabolism

 Activation of some substances e.g. angiotensin

 Filtering and prevention of embolism

 Storage and purification of blood.

Definition of Terms

 Inhalation: The act of breathing in oxygen.

 Exhalation: The act of breathing out carbon dioxide
 Eupnoea: Normal relaxed breathing.
 Dyspnoea: Difficulty or laboured breathing.
 Hyperpnoea: Breathing more air than normal, usually occurs when the body is in need
of more oxygen.
 Hypopnea: Reduction in ventilation of at least 50% which is mostly due to partial airway
obstruction.
 Hyperventilation: Breathing deep and fast. Usually letting out more air than normal.
 Hypoventilation: breathing that is too shallow to meet the oxygen demands of the body.
 Tachypnoea: A rapid shallow breathing which signifies that the body needs more
oxygen.
 Bradypnoea: A slow respiratory rate often seen when there is elevated level of carbon
dioxide.

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  Apnoea: Breathing that stops briefly usually during sleep.
 Hypoxia: Insufficient oxygen to maintain normal metabolic rate in the body.

Parts of Respiratory System

Upper airways: Nose, Sinuses and Pharynx

Lower airways: Trachea, Bronchi, Bronchioles and Alveoli

 Nose: The Nose is the first organ of upper respiratory system. It plays an important

function in respiration, olfaction and speech. It warms, filters and moistens inhaled air.

 Sinuses: These are small air-filled spaces in the bones that are connected to the nasal

cavity.

 Pharynx: This is a cone-shaped structure that subserves both the digestive and respiratory

system.

 The larynx is an organ involve in respiration and protects the trachea against food

aspiration.

 Trachea: This is a long tube that connects the larynx to the bronchi. It is a key part of the

respiratory system. It is made up of cartilaginous rings. It is lined by mucus secreting

membrane and as such protect the airways.

 Bronchi: The bronchi are two large tubes that carries air from the trachea to the

bronchioles of the lungs.

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  Bronchioles: These are air passages inside the lungs that branch off like tree limbs from

the bronchi.

 Alveoli: This is the site of gaseous exchange in the lungs. Oxygen is picked up by the

blood while carbon dioxide is exchanged and given off.

The Lungs and Its Lobes

The lungs are a pair of spongy, air-filled organs located on either side of the thorax (chest). The

lungs is divided in to left and right each of which is segmented. Each segment of the lung is

called a lobe. Farm animals generally have 6 lobes on their lungs. The left lung has 2 lobes

(Cranial and caudal lobe) while the right lung has 4 lobes (Cranial, Medial, accessory and

caudal).

Bovine Lungs

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THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM OF FARM ANIMALS

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