RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

The respiratory system is a biological system comprising organs and structures involved in
the exchange of gases, primarily oxygen and carbon dioxide, between the body and the
external environment.

The respiratory system of avian species is a remarkable adaptation that reflects the unique
demands of flight and efficient gas exchange. Birds have evolved a highly specialized
respiratory system that allows them to meet the high metabolic demands associated with
flight while maintaining lightweight and aerodynamic body structures. Unlike mammals,
birds rely on a system of air sacs, in addition to lungs, to facilitate a continuous
unidirectional flow of air through their respiratory tract, enhancing gas exchange
efficiency. This introduction will provide an overview of the avian respiratory system,
highlighting its structural adaptations, functional mechanisms, and physiological
significance in avian biology. By understanding the intricacies of the avian respiratory
system, we can gain insights into the remarkable adaptations that enable birds to thrive in
diverse environments and engage in complex behaviors such as flight, singing, and vocal
communication.

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM OF POULTRY COMPRISES OF

1. Nasal opening
2. Nasal passage
3. Trachea
4. Bronchi (bronchus)
5. Lungs
6. Air sacs
FUNCTIONS OF RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

1. Absorption of oxygen from the air.

2. Release of carbon dioxide.
3. Release of heat.
4. Detoxification of certain chemicals.
5. Rapid adjustment of acid-base balance.
6. Vocalization
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM OF POULTRY AND
MAMMALS

• Tracheal rings are complete in case of birds.

• The organ of phonation (syrinyx) is located at the bifurcation of trachea rather than near
pharynx.

• The lungs are fixed in position and can not contract and expand in the respiration.

• Air sacs are present in the birds while absent in case of mammals. The air sacs are
extended to the bones known as pneumatic bones. These structures have the ability to
contract and expand with respiration.

• Diaphragm is absent in birds.

TRACHEA

➢ Trachea conducts the air from nasal cavity and mouth to the bronchus or bronchi.

➢ Causes the warming and moistening of air.

➢ Causes the screening of dust and foreign material.

➢ It also provides the local immunity by filtering or screening the dust particles with
the help of cilia.

➢ Mucous

➢ Production of immunoglobin (Ig A) that are antibodies

➢ The trachea after entering into the body bifurcates into two structures known as
bronchi (Right bronchus, left bronchus).

SYRINX

➢ The trachea bifurcates into two primary bronchi at the syrinx.

➢ It is the voice box. Bird voice is produced by air pressure on a sound valve and
modified by muscle tension.
 ➢ It is not possible to remove the syrinx to prevent roosters from crowing. They can
be devoiced by changing the muscles of syrinx.

➢ Both males and females are able to crow. The reason why hens don't crow is that
they don't feel like it due to the effect of female hormones and the absence of
sufficient level of male hormones.

➢ When ovaries are diseased and female hormone level decrease, hens ten to start
showing male characteristics including crowing.

BRONCHI
Bronchial system of bird consists of three orders of branching before the gas exchange
units are reached.
➢ Primary bronchus
➢ Secondary bronchus
➢ Tertiary bronchus (Para bronchi)
➢ Air capillaries.

1. Primary bronchus

The primary bronchi enter the lungs and are then called mesobronchi.

Branching off from the mesobronchi are smaller tubes called ventrobronchi.

The ventrobronchi, in turn, lead into the still smaller parabronchi.

 2. Secondary Bronchi: The primary bronchi further divide into secondary
bronchi, which enter the respective lobes of the lungs.

3. Parabronchi: Within the avian lungs, the secondary bronchi give rise to a
network of tubular structures called parabronchi, which are the primary sites of
gas exchange.

4. Air Capillaries: Parabronchi contain interconnected air capillaries, where gas

exchange occurs between air and blood.

FUNCTION OF THE BRONCHI IN BIRDS:

Air Conduction: The primary function of the bronchi is to conduct air to and from the
lungs, allowing for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide during respiration.

One-Way Airflow: Birds have a unique system of unidirectional airflow, facilitated by

the structure of the bronchi and air sacs, ensuring efficient gas exchange.

Oxygenation of Blood: As air passes through the bronchi and into the lungs, oxygen
diffuses across the respiratory membranes into the bloodstream, where it is transported to
tissues throughout the body.

Ventilation during Flight: During flight, birds rely on rapid and efficient ventilation
provided by the bronchi to meet the increased oxygen demands associated with strenuous
activity.
LUNGS
› They are relatively small and don't expand.
› They are firmly attached to the ribs.
› Birds have incomplete diaphragm and the arrangement of chest musculature and
sternum don't lend themselves to expansion in the same way like chest of mammals.

AIR SACS
Birds have 9 air sacs:
1. One interclavicular sac
2. Two cervical sacs
3. Two anterior thoracic sacs
4. Two posterior thoracic sacs
5. Two abdominal sacs functionally

Air sacs can be divided into:

Anterior sacs (interclavicular - cervical - anterior thoracic)
Posterior sacs (posterior thoracic - abdominals).
AIR SAC AND AIR FLOW
Avian air sacs permit a unidirectional flow of air through the lungs. Unidirectional flow
means that air moving through bird lungs is largely 'fresh' air and has a higher oxygen
content. So, in bird lungs, more oxygen is available to diffuse into the blood. Air sacs
greatly enhance respiration efficiency and allow for the high metabolic rates in birds. This
system keeps the volume of air in the lung nearly constant, a prerequisite for maintaining
a level flight path. In mammals, air flow is 'bidirectional. Moving back & forth into & out
of the lungs. So, air coming into a mammal's lungs is mixed with 'old' air (air that has been
in the lungs for a while) and this 'mixed air' has less oxygen.

AVIAN BONE AND RESPIRATION

➢ Bone of birds are lighter in weight as compared to mammals.

➢ Some if these bones are hollow and actually acts as a part of the respiratory
system.
➢ They are called pneumatic bones, and they include; skull, humerus, calvicle,
sternum, pelvic girdle and lumbar and sacral vertebrae.
➢ A broken pneumatic bone can make it difficult for birds to breath.

MECHANISM OF RESPIRATION
The respiratory mechanism is composed of two processes
• Inspiration
• Expiration
1. Inspiration or Inhalation:
a. Inspiration is a process during which the air is taken up by the bird and
processes in the lungs
b. Process is active process because it consumes energy while in case of
mammals this process is passive.

2. Expiration or Exhalation
a. The discharge or removal of air into the environment is known as
expiration or exhalation
b. This process is passive in nature in birds while active in case of mammals
c. As the birds are lacking in diaphragm but so the process of respiration
depends upon thoracic, abdominal, and cervical muscles
d. During the process of inspiration, the inspiratory muscles contract
ultimately leading to the increase in internal abdominal thoracic volume
and pressure decreases.

THERMOREGULATION
The birds like mammals are homoeothermic in nature because they tend to maintain the
temperature of deeply seated organs like brain, liver, heart, intestine etc. In homeothermic
animals the amount of heat produced by the muscular exercise and metabolic activity like
oxidation of glucose is equal to the amount of heat loss from the animal to its environment.
The heat is lost to the environment by the process:

• Radiation
• Conduction
• Convection
• Evaporation/panting
In conclusion, the respiratory system of avian species is a marvel of biological adaptation,
finely tuned to meet the unique demands of flight, metabolism, and environmental
challenges. Through a combination of structural adaptations, such as the presence of air
sacs and a highly efficient lung design, and functional mechanisms like unidirectional
airflow and cross-current gas exchange, birds are able to achieve remarkable respiratory
efficiency. This efficiency enables them to extract oxygen from the air more effectively,
support high metabolic rates during flight, and maintain optimal respiratory health in
various environmental conditions. The avian respiratory system not only facilitates gas
exchange but also plays a crucial role in thermoregulation, vocalization, and overall
metabolic function. By studying the respiratory system of avian species, we gain valuable
insights into the principles of respiratory physiology and the evolutionary adaptations that
have enabled birds to conquer the skies and thrive in diverse habitats around the world.

REFERENCES:

➢ Physiology of Small and Large Birds" by R. R. Dykstra.

➢ Bird Ecology and Conservation: A Handbook of Techniques" edited by William J.
Sutherland, Ian Newton, and Rhys E. Green.
➢ Avian Physiology" by Gillian C. Rutherford and Kathleen E. Hunt.