Respiratory Anatomy

Question 1

What are the nostrils of a horse constructed with?

Answer 1

Cartilagenous rings that can be expanded by small muscles

Question 2

What is the structure at the end of a horses nasal passage called? What is it and what is it’s function?

Answer 2

•The ethmoid turbinate
•A mucous membrane coated filter
•Helps prevent dust and particles from entering a horse’s airway
•Involved with a horse’s sense of smell

Question 3

What are the Gutteral Pouches? What is their function?

Answer 3

•A pair of blind sacs arising from the tubes in the middle ear
•Large vessels run through it
•Their function is largely unknown
•May influence carotid artery BP
•May be a cerebral blood cooling mechanism

Question 4

How many pairs of sinuses does a horse have? What are their names?

Answer 4

•Six
•Fronta Sinus, Caudal Maxillary Sinus, Rostral Maxillary Sinus, Ventral Conchal Sinus, Dorsal Conchal Sinus, Palatine Sinus

Question 5

Which three sinuses are most commonly associated with disease? Why?

Answer 5

•Frontal Sinus, Caudal Maxillary Sinus, & Rostral Maxillary Sinus
• In young horses there is a connection between tooth roots and the Maxillary Sinus cavities, which open into the Frontal Sinuses

Question 6

What are the Arytenoid Cartiages?

Answer 6

• Cartilage that are part of the larynx that help control airflow
• Open when breath is drawn in, return to a resting position when the horse exhales

Question 7

What feature of a horses lungs may make them more susceptible to disease?

Answer 7

There are no clearly defined lobes

Question 8

Is exhalation an active or passive mechanism?

Answer 8

Passive. The diaphragm and chest muscles relax and abdominal organs return to their original positions. This forces air out of the lungs.

Question 9

What structure makes it difficult for a horse to breathe through it’s mouth?

Answer 9

The epiglottis