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IOSR Journal of Agriculture and Veterinary Science (IOSR-JAVS) e-ISSN: 2319-2380, p-ISSN: 2319-2372. Volume 8, Issue 10 Ver. II (Oct. 2015), PP 58-61 www.iosrjournals.org
DOI: 10.9790/2380-081025861 www.iosrjournals.org 58 | Page
Anatomical and Morphometric Study of the Trachea in Bee-eater
Bird (Merops orientalis)
*Nabeel Abd Murad Al-Mamoori1,Salim Salih Ali Al-Ghakany2
*College of Veterinary Medicine, AL- Qadissiya University
Abstract:The present study included eight specimens of adult bee-eater bird ( Merops orientalis)
collected near the places of beekeeping of Al-Diwaniya city, open the birds and extracted the trachea
for the purpose of anatomical study. The trachea in bee-eaters bird appear as long, cylindrical
flexible tube and the principle basic unit consisting of the trachea arecompose of series circular
cartilages which takes - C - shape,The mean length of the trachea ( 5.087± 0.21cm ) and the mean
totalnumberof cartilageformingtrachea ( 64.5± 4.5 ). The diameter of tracheal cartilage rings
approximately unequal where the average of diameter of trachea near connection with larynx is (
0.3± 0.0 cm) while the middle region and the area connection between trachea and syrinx (Voice box)
is ( 0.25± 0.0 cm).
Keywords:Grossly, Trachea, Upper respiratory tract and Bee-eater bird ( Merops orientalis).
1. Introduction
The bee-eaters birds live in colonies large numbers. They found near the places of beekeeping
and may be visits parks and private gardens. It is well known to beekeepers as a predator of bees. It
has a number of habits that make it useful in locating bees, and use of bee-eater birds in monitoring
for the Asian honey bee ( 1 and 2 ).The respiratory system plays a vital role in thermo-regulation, the
sense of smell, and voice are associated with it (3; 4 and 5 ).In birds the respiratory system differ from
mammals due to specific structures includes nasal cavity, larynx, trachea, syrinx, bronchi, lungs and
air sacs (6; 7 and 8), whilein mammals the respiratory systemconsist of nostrils, nasal cavity, larynx,
trachea, bronchi, lungs (9).In birds the trachea bifurcation at the syrinx to the right and left primary
bronchi, both enter the target lungs via the hilus at septal surface as an primary bronchus (10; 11; 12;
13and 14).
The aim of study: Design this study to providing anatomical information and data about Bee-eater
bird (Merops orientalis).
II. Materials and Methods
In the present study used eight adult bee-eater bird (Merops orientalis) collected near the
places of beekeeping of Al-Diwanyia city, After catching the bird by using fishing machine directly
weighted and dissecting by fixed the birds on the table on the dorsal recumbency and make incision
from the neck region up to the level of the pelvic region to show and photographs the respiratory
system ( Trachea ) and record the relationship with the neighboring organs. Separate the trachea and
remove the adipose to record morphological measuring. Used in this study some instruments such as
( Vernier, electrical, digital camera Sony Ericsson and lens (X6 and X12) ) to recorded the following:
1- Measured the length of the trachea ( it measured from cranial border of the first tracheal cartilage
ring into the caudal border of last tracheal cartilage ring which connect with syrinx).
2- Measured the diameter of the trachea in three regions:-
A-The connection between the trachea and the larynx (First tracheal cartilage ring).
B- The middle part of the trachea.
C-The connection between the trachea and syrinx (Last tracheal cartilage ring).
3- Calculate the number of cartilage rings in the trachea.
Anatomical and Morphometric Study of the Trachea in Bee-eater Bird (Merops orientalis).
DOI: 10.9790/2380-081025861 www.iosrjournals.org 59 | Page
III. Results
The anatomical properties of the trachea in bee-eaters bird appear as long, cylindrical flexible
tube and the principle basic unit consisting of the trachea arecomposed of overlapping complete
circular cartilages which takes - C - shape, which will be open from the medial side and connected
with each other by annular ligaments( Fig:1). The trachea observe extendalong the ventral aspect of
the neck and see the esophagus behind the dorsal aspect of the trachea( Fig: 2). it is extend from the
caudal end of the cricoid cartilage of the larynx (rostrally) and the first trachea syringeal cartilage
(caudally). The mean length of the trachea ( 5.087± 0.21cm ) and the mean totalnumberof
cartilageformingtrachea ( 64.5± 4.5 ). Observe diameter of cartilage approximately unequal where the
average of diameter of trachea near connection with larynx is ( 0.3± 0.0 cm) while the middle region
and the area connection between trachea and syrinx (Voice box) is ( 0.25± 0.0 cm). it note that the
distal part of the trachea after forming syrinx is bifurcates into two short tube are the left and right
primary bronchi which enter the proximal third of the visceral surface of the lungs through the hilus(
Fig:1).
Anatomical and Morphometric Study of the Trachea in Bee-eater Bird (Merops orientalis).
DOI: 10.9790/2380-081025861 www.iosrjournals.org 60 | Page
IV. Discussion
In the present studythe trachea in Bee-eaters bird appear as long, cylindrical flexible tube and
the principle basic unit consisting of the trachea arecomposed of overlapping complete circular
cartilages which takes - C – shape, this result agreement with (4;7;13;14 and 15) due to the series of –
C – shape rings of cartilage essential to kept the lumen of trachea open to prevent the trachea from
collapsing when the thoracic presser falls and the incomplete rings allow food boluses to pass down
the esophagus unimpeded by the tracheal cartilage (16).
The mean length of the trachea in Bee-eaters ( 5.087± 0.21cm ) and the mean totalnumberof
cartilageformingtrachea ( 64.5± 4.5 ) this result disagreement with (14;15 and 17) explain the mean
length of trachea in turkeys (26 ± 1.23 cm) ; in West african guinea fowl(26.363 ± 0.383 cm) and
ostriches (78 cm) this difference due to species andbodyvolume of birds.
The mean totalnumberof cartilageformingtrachea in Bee-eaters ( 64.5± 4.5 ) while (151 ± 12)
in turkeys ( 14 ) alsothis difference due to species andbody volume of birds.The mean diameter of
tracheal cartilage rings in bee-eaters approximately between ( 0.3± 0.0 cm) to ( 0.25± 0.0 cm) this
result differ in (14;15 and 17) the mean diameter in turkeys (1.01 ± 0.03 cm); in West African guinea
fowl(0.0875 ± 0.0031 cm) and in ostriches (2 cm).
The distal part of the trachea after forming syrinx is bifurcates into two short tube are the left
and right primary bronchi which enter the proximal third of the visceral surface of the lungs through
the hilus, agreement with (14;15;18;19 and 20).
Acknowledgements
I thanks Dr. Asaad Jassim Abid ( Head Department of Medicine) in college veterinary
medicine, Al-Qadissiya university for assist me for obtaining the Bee-eaters birds.
Anatomical and Morphometric Study of the Trachea in Bee-eater Bird (Merops orientalis).
DOI: 10.9790/2380-081025861 www.iosrjournals.org 61 | Page
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