DESCRIPTIVE AND TOPOGRAPHIC ANATOMY OF THE LUNGS OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS

Abstract

The respiratory system is divided into respiratory pathways (nose, nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs) and gas exchange sites (respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts, alveolar sacs, and alveoli). The upper respiratory tract includes the nose and pharynx, while the lower respiratory tract encompasses the larynx, trachea, and lungs. All these organs contribute to the essential function of the system, which is the exchange of gases between the environment and the blood, transporting oxygen to the cells and removing carbon dioxide. The inspired air is filtered, humidified, and warmed before reaching the lungs, where the diffusion of oxygen into the blood and the expulsion of carbon dioxide occur. Therefore, the lungs are the organs that contain the structures responsible for gas exchange and are of utmost importance. Despite their similarity, lungs exhibit differences both within the same animal and across different species. In this context, this work aims to present the descriptive and topographic anatomy of domestic animals, highlighting the differences between species.