Functional anatomy and mechanics of the aerodigestive tract in rorqual whales ...
Digestive and respiratory pathways are entwined evolutionarily, developmentally, and spatially. Adaptations of the pharynx balance breathing and swallowing, allowing food transfer while maintaining airway protection. Cetaceans have terrestrial ancestry, thus, the terrestrial framework required modif...
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| Format: | Text |
| Language: | English |
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University of British Columbia
2023
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| Online Access: | https://dx.doi.org/10.14288/1.0400119 https://doi.library.ubc.ca/10.14288/1.0400119 |
| Summary: | Digestive and respiratory pathways are entwined evolutionarily, developmentally, and spatially. Adaptations of the pharynx balance breathing and swallowing, allowing food transfer while maintaining airway protection. Cetaceans have terrestrial ancestry, thus, the terrestrial framework required modifications for life underwater. Rorqual baleen whales have many adaptations related to feeding, which involves engulfing a volume of prey-laden water that can be larger than their own body. How have these adaptations affected interactions of the respiratory and digestive tract? Diving on a breath-hold requires sealing the respiratory tract to prevent water entry; however, this closure presents the risk of barotrauma in the rigid upper airways. Swallowing immense amounts of living food requires protection of upper and lower airways, and requires an effective transport mechanism to swallow large quantities of prey during limited interlunge period. I found that the nasal cavities are protected from water incursion by ... |
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