Horse Respiratory System Research Paper
he Respiratory System
Fig 4. Horse’s respiratory system
The functions of the respiratory system are to provide the body with oxygen, to remove carbon dioxide from the body, to control temperature (breathing out warm air and breathing in cool air), to eliminate water, to communicate (Voice production) and sensory input (Smell/ touch- nose hairs). The respiratory system consists of the nostrils, pharynx, larynx,
Nostrils
The nostrils expand to allow air to enter the respiratory system, hairs within the nostrils trap foreign bodies. Air is warmed as it passes through the nasal chambers, the nasal cavity is then divided by turbinate bones into nasal metatuses.
Pharynx
Next is the pharynx which is the muscular cavity just past the nasal cavity, …show more content…
it is divided into two areas (Nasopharynx and Oropharynx) by the soft palate. In between the soft palate is the entry for the larynx, this is where the Eustachian tubes are found- these go to the middle ear region through the guttural pouches. During respiration air passes through the pharynx to the back of the throat, the epiglottis lies over the soft palate which shuts off the mouth allowing the air into the larynx.
Gutteral pouches
These are just after the pharynx and are an air filled sac which equalises the pressure in ears and cools the brain.
Larynx
The larynx acts as a valve which filters foreign bodies and allows the expiration and inhalation of air, it also produces sound using the cartilage structures.
Sinuses
These connect directly to the nasal passages which helps to warm air the horse breathes which equalises pressure and reduces the weight of the skull.
Trachea
This divides the upper and lower respiratory tracts and at the end it divides into tubes called bronchi.
Bronchi
The bronchi are the two tubes at the end of the trachea, these are kept open by rings of cartilage and attach to the two lungs at the hilus.
Lungs
These are two elastic organs which are covered in pleura a slippery membrane that reduces the friction.
Bronchioles
The bronchi divide into smaller tubes inside the lungs, these are called bronchioles.
Alveoli
The tubes are divided even further into alveoli which is where gaseous change takes place.
Gaseous exchange
Gaseous exchange takes place once air is inhaled, oxygen reaches the alveoli and diffuses through the semi-permeable membranes into the blood. This allows oxygen to be carried around the body via blood. It also occurs when removing carbon dioxide as it diffuses from the blood through the semi-permeable membrane into the alveoli to be exhaled. This process is more effective through alveoli recruitment and the vast amount of alveoli which creates a bigger surface area for this.
Systems during rest (aerobic respiration)
At rest a grown up horse should breathe 10-24 breaths per minute and its heart should beat 28-44 beats per minute.
During rest the horses systems are under less stress and do not work as hard as there is less demand. Inhalation occurs as the rib cage expands using the intercostal muscles which causes the diaphragm to contract and flatten meaning the thorax enlarges. Gaseous exchange occurs as oxygen diffuses through the alveoli into the thinly walled capillaries. The oxygenated blood goes into the left atrium and through the bicuspid valve to left ventricle then is pumped through aorta to the body. Tissues collect the oxygen and the deoxygenate blood comes through the vena cava into the right atrium then moves through tricuspid valve to the right ventricle which constricts and the blood is pumped through the pulmonary artery into the lungs. This is where gaseous exchange occurs again and waste products are diffused into the alveoli then exhaled. When exhaling the pressure in the thoracic cavity increases which forces air out. This type of respiration is aerobic as it uses …show more content…
oxygen.
Systems during exercise
Breathing rate of the horse depends on the humidity, metabolic demands, environment temperature and the demands of work however at maximum exercise the horse cannot reach more than 130 beats per minute.
In asymmetric gaits such as canter and gallop as the hind leg lands expiration begins. The respiratory system however does not respond to training but may affect it such as alveolar recruitment, this is when the alveoli is clearing by removing mucous and debris which allows a larger lung capacity to be used which allows more oxygen to be breathed in meaning it is more efficient. Muscular development of the chest and the diaphragm occurs which means they are stronger creating a more efficient system. Lastly, pulmonary capillarisation occurs this is where the blood vessels surrounding the alveoli respond to the oxygen demand by increasing the number of capillaries surrounding the alveoli. There are different effects on the systems from exercise, there are immediate and long term affects. Immediate affects are the heart rate increases and the heart muscle contracts more forceful, this allows more blood to be pumped around the blood quicker. Long term affects are the heart muscle becomes stronger, this allows the heart to hold more blood and pump the blood more effectively around the body. Training programmes allow these affects to occur and create more efficient systems as it teaches the body to use more oxygen by increasing the aerobic threshold meaning the onset of anaerobic
respiration is delayed and fatigued is postponed. Adrenaline during exercise can allow the heart to contract with more force meaning more blood is pumped with each beat. Although most exercise uses aerobic respiration, anaerobic respiration does occur during intense exercise or when exercising an unfit horse. Anaerobic respiration is when oxygen is not used as an energy source as there is not enough but instead glucose is. Glucose begins to break down and produce energy however a side product called lactic acid is made, this is a poisonous chemical which may cause muscle to cramp if it builds up. To remove lactic acid the body needs oxygen, this is the oxygen debt needed to break down the lactic acid.
How the systems work together
The systems work together as the respiratory system gives the circulatory system oxygen through inhalation and the circulatory system travels this around the body giving it to tissues. This allows cell respiration to occur and prevents the build up of lactic acid which prevents fatigue. It is vital for both of these systems to work effectively in order for the body to work efficiently with no problems. If one system does not work it may affect the other such as if the respiratory system does not work efficiently the circulatory system will not be able to provide the tissues with oxygen or remove water products.
What could happen if something goes wrong?
R.A.O (recurrent airway obstruction)
In most cases this is inflamed bronchioles from a hypersensitivity to inhaled irritants or allergens. Symptoms are coughing, nasal discharge and difficulty breathing. Treatments are inhalers that contain corticosteroids (animedvets.co.uk, 2015).
Fig 4. Horse’s respiratory system
The functions of the respiratory system are to provide the body with oxygen, to remove carbon dioxide from the body, to control temperature (breathing out warm air and breathing in cool air), to eliminate water, to communicate (Voice production) and sensory input (Smell/ touch- nose hairs). The respiratory system consists of the nostrils, pharynx, larynx,
Nostrils
The nostrils expand to allow air to enter the respiratory system, hairs within the nostrils trap foreign bodies. Air is warmed as it passes through the nasal chambers, the nasal cavity is then divided by turbinate bones into nasal metatuses.
Pharynx
Next is the pharynx which is the muscular cavity just past the nasal cavity, …show more content…
it is divided into two areas (Nasopharynx and Oropharynx) by the soft palate. In between the soft palate is the entry for the larynx, this is where the Eustachian tubes are found- these go to the middle ear region through the guttural pouches. During respiration air passes through the pharynx to the back of the throat, the epiglottis lies over the soft palate which shuts off the mouth allowing the air into the larynx.
Gutteral pouches
These are just after the pharynx and are an air filled sac which equalises the pressure in ears and cools the brain.
Larynx
The larynx acts as a valve which filters foreign bodies and allows the expiration and inhalation of air, it also produces sound using the cartilage structures.
Sinuses
These connect directly to the nasal passages which helps to warm air the horse breathes which equalises pressure and reduces the weight of the skull.
Trachea
This divides the upper and lower respiratory tracts and at the end it divides into tubes called bronchi.
Bronchi
The bronchi are the two tubes at the end of the trachea, these are kept open by rings of cartilage and attach to the two lungs at the hilus.
Lungs
These are two elastic organs which are covered in pleura a slippery membrane that reduces the friction.
Bronchioles
The bronchi divide into smaller tubes inside the lungs, these are called bronchioles.
Alveoli
The tubes are divided even further into alveoli which is where gaseous change takes place.
Gaseous exchange
Gaseous exchange takes place once air is inhaled, oxygen reaches the alveoli and diffuses through the semi-permeable membranes into the blood. This allows oxygen to be carried around the body via blood. It also occurs when removing carbon dioxide as it diffuses from the blood through the semi-permeable membrane into the alveoli to be exhaled. This process is more effective through alveoli recruitment and the vast amount of alveoli which creates a bigger surface area for this.
Systems during rest (aerobic respiration)
At rest a grown up horse should breathe 10-24 breaths per minute and its heart should beat 28-44 beats per minute.
During rest the horses systems are under less stress and do not work as hard as there is less demand. Inhalation occurs as the rib cage expands using the intercostal muscles which causes the diaphragm to contract and flatten meaning the thorax enlarges. Gaseous exchange occurs as oxygen diffuses through the alveoli into the thinly walled capillaries. The oxygenated blood goes into the left atrium and through the bicuspid valve to left ventricle then is pumped through aorta to the body. Tissues collect the oxygen and the deoxygenate blood comes through the vena cava into the right atrium then moves through tricuspid valve to the right ventricle which constricts and the blood is pumped through the pulmonary artery into the lungs. This is where gaseous exchange occurs again and waste products are diffused into the alveoli then exhaled. When exhaling the pressure in the thoracic cavity increases which forces air out. This type of respiration is aerobic as it uses …show more content…
oxygen.
Systems during exercise
Breathing rate of the horse depends on the humidity, metabolic demands, environment temperature and the demands of work however at maximum exercise the horse cannot reach more than 130 beats per minute.
In asymmetric gaits such as canter and gallop as the hind leg lands expiration begins. The respiratory system however does not respond to training but may affect it such as alveolar recruitment, this is when the alveoli is clearing by removing mucous and debris which allows a larger lung capacity to be used which allows more oxygen to be breathed in meaning it is more efficient. Muscular development of the chest and the diaphragm occurs which means they are stronger creating a more efficient system. Lastly, pulmonary capillarisation occurs this is where the blood vessels surrounding the alveoli respond to the oxygen demand by increasing the number of capillaries surrounding the alveoli. There are different effects on the systems from exercise, there are immediate and long term affects. Immediate affects are the heart rate increases and the heart muscle contracts more forceful, this allows more blood to be pumped around the blood quicker. Long term affects are the heart muscle becomes stronger, this allows the heart to hold more blood and pump the blood more effectively around the body. Training programmes allow these affects to occur and create more efficient systems as it teaches the body to use more oxygen by increasing the aerobic threshold meaning the onset of anaerobic
respiration is delayed and fatigued is postponed. Adrenaline during exercise can allow the heart to contract with more force meaning more blood is pumped with each beat. Although most exercise uses aerobic respiration, anaerobic respiration does occur during intense exercise or when exercising an unfit horse. Anaerobic respiration is when oxygen is not used as an energy source as there is not enough but instead glucose is. Glucose begins to break down and produce energy however a side product called lactic acid is made, this is a poisonous chemical which may cause muscle to cramp if it builds up. To remove lactic acid the body needs oxygen, this is the oxygen debt needed to break down the lactic acid.
How the systems work together
The systems work together as the respiratory system gives the circulatory system oxygen through inhalation and the circulatory system travels this around the body giving it to tissues. This allows cell respiration to occur and prevents the build up of lactic acid which prevents fatigue. It is vital for both of these systems to work effectively in order for the body to work efficiently with no problems. If one system does not work it may affect the other such as if the respiratory system does not work efficiently the circulatory system will not be able to provide the tissues with oxygen or remove water products.
What could happen if something goes wrong?
R.A.O (recurrent airway obstruction)
In most cases this is inflamed bronchioles from a hypersensitivity to inhaled irritants or allergens. Symptoms are coughing, nasal discharge and difficulty breathing. Treatments are inhalers that contain corticosteroids (animedvets.co.uk, 2015).