Respiratory System

Nares 

This is the nose of the animal. This is where air first enters the respiratory tract. It is composed of nasal hyaline cartilages. The nares also include numerous sweat glands. The Planum is the area on the nares that is pigmented and hairless. Bovine have a Planum Nasiolabiale  

Nasal Cavity

The nasal cavity is separated from the mouth by the hard and soft plates. the Nasal Septum divides the nasal cavity into the left and right halves. Within the nasal cavity are the Conchae, which have a mucous membrane. Their main function is to warm the air before it goes further down the respiratory tract. The Choana is located at the end of the nasal cavity and is an opening to the pharynx

Pharynx

Soft tissue region that is caudal to oral and nasal cavities. This region is common for both the respiratory and the digestive tract 

Epiglottis

The epiglottis is caudal to the base of the tongue and is made up of elastic cartilage. Its main function is to cover the larynx during swallowing 

Glottis

The area of the larynx that the epiglottis covers. It is the entrance to the windpipe and is responsible for sound production. 

Hyoid Apparatus

Is a bone structure that is used as a point of attachment for the tongue, larynx, and muscles of the oral cavity that make us the floor 

Thyroid Cartilage

Is the largest part of the larynx that interacts with the thyrohyoid process of the Hyoid Apparatus  

Vestibule

The nasal vestibule is where the outside air enters the respiratory tract

Arytenoid Cartilage

This part of the larynx is separated into two parts that look like angel wings. This part houses the vocal cords. The space between the vocal cords is called the Rima Glottidis

Cricoid Cartilage

This part of the larynx is the most caudal and borders with the first tracheal ring  

Trachea

This part of the respiratory tract leads from the caudal end of the larynx to the principal bronchi. The key characteristic of this tube are the tracheal rings made of cartilage. This keeps the trachea from collapsing. 

Carina 

This is the tissue that is triangle shaped that is below where the trachea splits into principal bronchi 

Principal Bronchi

The bronchi spilt into left and right. The principal bronchi are also referred to as primary bronchi. These bronchi split into secondary and tertiary bronchi that are also composed of cartilage

Esophageal Hiatus

It is an opening in the diaphragm where the esophagus passes through

Aortic Hiatus

An opening in the diaphragm that gives way to the descending aorta

Vena Cava Foramen

The opening where the caudal Vena Cava runs through the diaphragm