Comparative topography of the respiratory apparatus of Coragyps atratus and Cathartes aura: a guide for inhalation anesthesia and mechanical ventilation
Airways, Red-headed vulture, Black-headed vulture, Air sacs.
The respiratory system of birds has some peculiarities among other vertebrate animals, both in its structure and in the way it performs its functions (ventilation, thermal regulation, aid in flight and swimming). The Cathartideos are a family of birds represented by vultures and condors, the two most abundant species in Brazil are: Coragyps atratus (black vulture) and Cathartes aura (red-headed vulture). Little is known about the respiratory anatomy of these animals, such knowledge is essential in respiratory maintenance procedures or inhalation anesthesia in veterinary medicine. So far we have evaluated the anatomy of the Cathartes aura respiratory system. The species had nine air sacs: a single clavicular air sac, a pair of cervical air sacs, a pair of cranial thoracic air sacs, a pair of caudal thoracic air sacs, and a pair of abdominal air sacs.