Notes by SSBIO, Biology Lecturer, KMC Lalitpur

Respiratory Organ of Frog (Continued.)

5. Glottis: It is the opening of the laryngo-tracheal chamber. It opens when the air rushes from the
bucco-pharyngeal cavity to the lungs or air rushes from the lungs to the bucco-pharyngeal cavity.
6. Laryngo-tracheal chamber: It is present as a fusion of larynx and trachea as neck is absent. It
is made up of two arytenoid cartilage (crescentric/ half-moon shaped) and one cricoid cartilage
(signet ring shaped). It consists of a pair of vocal cords. It also helps in the production of sound.
7. Bronchi: It is present in one pair. They arises as branches from the laryngo-tracheal chamber
leading into the lungs (right and left). They help in the conduction of air from the laryngo-tracheal
chamber into the lungs.
8. Lungs: It is present in one pair, right lung and left lung in the thoracic region. (It is not divided
into lobes like humans). The outermost protective layer of lungs is called peritoneum. Below the
peritoneum, is present a layer made up of connective tissue which is supplied with blood vessels.
Internally, each lung is divided into many air-chambers called alveoli by trabeculae or septa.
The outer layer of lungs is lined by simple squamous epithelial tissue (epithelium). The trabeculae
is lined by ciliated columnar epithelium.
9. Alveoli: Alveoli are air-chambers present inside the lungs. Gaseous exchange (entry of oxygen
and exit of carbon-dioxide) occurs in the alveoli of lungs.

Physiology of Respiration in Frog

1. Breathing 2. Transport of gases (O2 and CO2) 3. Tissue respiration

1. Breathing (Inspiration and Expiration): by the action of bucco-pharyngeal cavity as a

force pump
a) Inspiration: During inspiration, the sternohyal muscles contract which increases the volume
of the bucco-pharyngeal cavity (decreases pressure of the bucco-pharyngeal cavity). As a
result, the glottis closes and air rushes from the outer atmosphere into the bucco-pharyngeal
cavity. The mento-meckelian bone is shifted upward as a result of which the external nostrils
closes. The pterohyal muscles contract which decreases the volume of the bucco-pharyngeal
cavity (increases pressure of the bucco-pharyngeal cavity). As a result, the glottis opens and
air rushes from the bucco-pharyngeal cavity into the lungs.

b) Expiration: During expiration, the abdominal muscles and the lungs contract. As a result, the
glottis opens and air rushes from the lungs into the bucco-pharyngeal cavity. For this, the
sternohyal muscles contract which increases the volume of the bucco-pharyngeal cavity
(decreases pressure of the bucco-pharyngeal cavity). Then, the glottis closes. The mento-
meckelian bone is pushed downwards as a result of which the external nostrils opens. The
pterohyal muscles contract which decreases the volume of the bucco-pharyngeal cavity
(increases pressure of the bucco-pharyngeal cavity). As a result, air rushes from the bucco-
pharyngeal cavity into the outer atmosphere.