Macroscopic and Morphometric Studies of the Extrapulmonary Primary Bronchi and Lungs of the indigenous adult Male Pigeon (Columba domestica)

Abstract

Macroscopical account of the extrapulmonary primary bronchi and lungs in
the ten of the indigenous adult male pigeons (Columba domestica) collected
from the Diwanyia city markets. It is expect that this work will provide a pivot
for future research and subsequent clinical applications as regards the biology of
the pigeons. After complete bleeding the target organs recognized then the
shape, position, dimensions of each specimen were record. The building units of
the pulmonary primary bronchi were C-shaped hyaline cartilages. Medial
bronchial wall connecting all cartilages ends together. The mean length of right
and left bronchi was (0.76±0.04 cm) (0.64±0.24cm) respectively. Lungs appear
as pyramidal-shaped brilliant pink color; extend from the first to the sixth ribs.
Each lung contain three surfaces (costal, vertebral, and septal) the dorsal border
of the costal surface contain six deep grooves origin by embedded the first to the
sixth ribs lead to divided the lung to seven lobes. The mean length of right and
left lungs was (3.1± 0.66cm), while the mean width of right and left lungs was
(3.1± 0.66cm).

Full text

Kufa Journal For Veterinary Medical Sciences Vol. (3) No. (1) 2012

Macroscopic and Morphometric Studies of the Extrapulmonary
Primary Bronchi and Lungs of the indigenous adult Male Pigeon
(Columba domestica)
Aqeel Mohsin Mahdi AL-Mahmodi
Veterinary Anatomy and Histology Department, Veterinary Medicine College,
AL-Kufa University
Abstract:
Macroscopical account of the extrapulmonary primary bronchi and lungs in
the ten of the indigenous adult male pigeons (Columba domestica) collected
from the Diwanyia city markets. It is expect that this work will provide a pivot
for future research and subsequent clinical applications as regards the biology of
the pigeons. After complete bleeding the target organs recognized then the
shape, position, dimensions of each specimen were record. The building units of
the pulmonary primary bronchi were C-shaped hyaline cartilages. Medial
bronchial wall connecting all cartilages ends together. The mean length of right
and left bronchi was (0.76±0.04 cm) (0.64±0.24cm) respectively. Lungs appear
as pyramidal-shaped brilliant pink color; extend from the first to the sixth ribs.
Each lung contain three surfaces (costal, vertebral, and septal) the dorsal border
of the costal surface contain six deep grooves origin by embedded the first to the
sixth ribs lead to divided the lung to seven lobes. The mean length of right and
left lungs was (3.1± 0.66cm), while the mean width of right and left lungs was
(3.1± 0.66cm).
Columba domestica
:
) (Columba domestica
C
(0.76±0.04cm)

Kufa Journal For Veterinary Medical Sciences Vol. (3) No. (1) 2012

(3.1±0.66 cm) .(3.1±0.66cm)
Introduction:
The bird's respiratory tract
composed of two main components,
the rigid gas exchanging bronchial
lungs, which allow for a union
between air and blood and the
nonvascularized ventilatory air sacs
(1). The respiratory system plays a
vital role in thermo-regulation, the
sense of smell, and voice are
associated with it (2). The avian
respiratory system described as non-
tidal (3).
In birds the trachea bifurcation at
the syrinx to the right and left
extrapulmonary primary bronchi
(EPPB). Both enter the target lungs
via the hilus at septal surface as an
intrapulmonary primary bronchus
(IPPB). (4; 5; 6; 7; and 8).
The primary bronchi are made of
a chain of C-shape cartilaginous
rings held collectively by annular
ligaments. The dimensions of these
rings are variable in concerning bird
species. The secondary bronchi
originate from primary bronchi at
dissimilar position with variable
number, and named according to the
parts of the lung and they supply.
They are dividing into Parabronchi
(tertiary bronchi), and freely
anastomosis with each other. Tiny
respiratory air capillaries form
extensive networks that
interconnecting the tertiary bronchi
and permitting gas exchange. (9; 10;
11; 12; 13; 14; 15; 16; 17; and 18).
In Rock dove and Domestic fowl,
the opening of the extrapulmonary
primary bronchi is narrow at the
syringeal end, moderately expanded
at the middle. In domestic fowl, it
constricted at the origin of the
medioventral secondary bronchi,
while in Rock dove; it dilated at the
origin of the medioventral secondary
bronchi (11).
Avian lungs more specialized
organ, three important features of
this specialization are extension of
the respiratory epithelium
(Pseudostratified ciliated columnar
epithelium), efficient mechanisms
for ventilation, and an efficient
circulation (18). Moreover, it is very
small when compared with the
whole body size, and very rigid
when entirely inflated. In addition,
firmly attachment to the ribs that
leaves deep costal impressions. (19;
and 20)
The lungs in avian lie in the
craniodorsal part of the thorax
extend as far as the second rib
cranially, to the sixth rib caudally,
and very adhere to the ribs causes
firmly attached to the thoracic wall
(21; 20; 22; and 23).
The lung of the chicken, turkey,
and duck appear as flattened
rectangular, elongated

Kufa Journal For Veterinary Medical Sciences Vol. (3) No. (1) 2012

parallelogram, trapezium-shaped
respectively. In duck the medial
border being about twice the length
of the lateral border this makes the
lung relatively long, narrow, and
pointed craniomedially, the medial
border bear six impressions for ribs,
as well as Parabronchi (9). While
(21) describe the lungs of the duck
as bright red-triangular or
quadrilateral-shape, not divided into
lobes, and has in the upper border
several rows of grooves caused by
embedded the vertebral ribs.
In West African guinea fowl, the
lungs are bright red trapezium shape
and very small in contrast to the size
of the thorax, each lung divide into
four parts by ribs impressions, and
the dorsal and ventral surface are
convex and concave respectively.
The primary bronchus, tracheal
artery and pulmonary vessels pass
through the hilus into the lungs at the
medial border (18). The lungs in the
chicken, turkey contain vertebral,
visceral, Costal surfaces, thick
medial, and thin lateral borders. (9;
19; and 23). Nevertheless, in the
ducks the costal, vertebral, and
septal are the surfaces of the lungs.
(21; and 19). While, lungs in
Japanese quail come into view as
spongy-like bright red in color has
no lobes, and has three surfaces
(convex costal and medial, and
concave ventral surfaces) (17).
However, for benefit in the study of
the respiratory physiology,
histopathology, and the respiratory
diseases analyzes.
Materials and Methods:
Ten adult male pigeons the mean
live weight was (425 ± 33.5 gm) in
first year of there age used for this
study. The birds obtained from the
Diwanyia city markets.
Anaesthetized with an intramuscular
injection of ketamine (50 mg kg) and
xylazine (20 mg kg), then opened the
body and well bleeding by puncher
of the heart.
For each specimen the
extrapulmonary primary bronchi and
the lungs observed immediately after
complete bleeding, the position in
situ, the shape, and the relations with
other organs were obvious and
recorded, subsequently, the target
organs separated from thoracic
cavity carefully. In addition, by
using the subsequently instruments
(ruler, vernier, and amplifier lens
(X6 and X12), listed the following
data:
1-Length and number of
extrapulmonary primary bronchi
cartilages.
2- Length, width, and thickness of
left and right lungs.
Results:
Morphological examination of the
extrapulmonary primary bronchi of
the indigenous adult male pigeons
showed as short tubes; extend
caudolaterally from the
bronchiosyringeal cartilages to the
hilus of the lung at the proximal
third of the lung at the septal surface.
The structure units of these bronchi
were C-shaped hyaline cartilages the
opened side medially, connected

Kufa Journal For Veterinary Medical Sciences Vol. (3) No. (1) 2012

together by annular ligaments. The
free ends of these cartilages held
together by membranous tissue
named Medial bronchial wall
(Fig.1). The mean length and
number of cartilages of right (EPPB)
were (0.76±0.04 cm), (6.4±0.24)
respectively. While these dimensions
in the left (EPPB) were
(0.64±0.24cm), (5.4±0.24)
respectively. Lungs appear as
pyramidal-shaped brilliant pink
color; extend from the first to the
sixth ribs. Each lung contain costal
surface was convex on dorsal border
of this surface there are six deep
grooves derivation embedded in the
first to the sixth ribs guide to
separate the lung to seven lobes the
first and hindermost lobes smaller
than the other lobes. Vertebral
surface was convex and septal
surface concave contain the hilus on
the proximal third (Fig. 2). The
mean length of right and left lungs
was (3.1± 0.66cm), whereas the
mean width of the right and left
lungs was (1.94± 0.03cm), while the
mean thickness of the right and left
lungs were (0.56 ± 0.024cm).
Fig. (1): Ventral view of the thoracic cavity of the pigeon after removal of heart, show
the derivation and shape of the extrapulmonary primary bronchi (a), medial bronchial
wall (b), hilus of lung (c), right and left lungs (d), distal trachea (e), syrinx (f),
sternotrachealis muscles (g), trachiolateralis muscles (h).
Right
a
a
b
d
d
e
g
g
f
c
Left
h
Right
d
g
g
h
e
f
a
a
b
c
d

Kufa Journal For Veterinary Medical Sciences Vol. (3) No. (1) 2012

Discussion:
The current examinations of the
extrapulmonary primary bronchi in
indigenous adult male pigeons
elucidated that composed of
incomplete rings (C-shaped), the
dorsal and ventral ends linkage by
membranous tissue, which represent
the medial wall of the bronchi. These
consequences in agreement with (10;
12; 4; 24; 13; 5; 25; 16; 26; 17; 18;
22; and 8) in several types of the
birds.
In the present study, the right
EPPB was longer than the left one
these features not disaccord with
(27) in ostriches. While on
commutating with (8) who showed ,
in Male Turkey (Meleagris
gallopava), the right EPPB was
narrower and shorter than the left
EPPB . These facts bounce back to
different in bird species.
Length of the EPPB in pigeons in
this study different with large size
birds like ‘Gallus gallus, and West
african guinea fowl (12; and 18); and
in ostriches (27) who said that the
right EPPB was relatively longer
(5cm), and relatively narrower in
compared with the left EPPB (4cm).
Fig. (2): lungs of pigeon illustrate the (costal view (A) right lung, ventral view
(B)right and left lungs): seven lobes of the lung (a) six deep grooves of the costal
surface at the dorsal border (b) six costal ribs (c) hilus of the lung (d),
a2 a3 a4 a5 a6
a1

a7

A
d
Right
Left
Right
c
B
b1 b2 b3 b4 b5 b6
c1 c2 c3 c4 c5 c6
a1

a7

Kufa Journal For Veterinary Medical Sciences Vol. (3) No. (1) 2012

But coincide with rock dove was
(0.7 cm) (12), differences of
dimensions of bronchi attributable to
qualitative dissimilarities in bird's
species. (27; and 16).
Lungs in pigeons appear as
pyramidal-shaped brilliant pink
color. These results incongruity,
with (9) who showed that the lung
appeared as flattened rectangular
structure, elongated parallelogram,
and trapezium-shaped in chicken,
turkey, and duck respectively, with
(18) who made clear that the lungs
were bright red trapezium-shaped in
west african guinea fowl . These
different colors of the lungs in birds
referred to the blood supplied (17),
and with (8) explicated that the
shape of the lungs in the turkey
appeared as elongated triangle shiny-
red.
The lungs of pigeon in this study
extend from the first to the sixth ribs
firmly attachment with it. (23)
Assumed that these inflexibility and
constant volume throughout the
respiratory cycle of the avian lung
provide the mechanical foundation
for an enlargement of the oxygen
exchange surfaces (10 times) larger
than the gas exchange surfaces found
in mammalian lung. These findings
consistence with other authors in
avian (18, 20, 22).
The lung of the pigeons in this
study similar to other birds like duck
and turkey characterized by present
three surfaces (Costal, Vertebral, and
Septal) (21, 19, 8), but not in
agreement, with (11) who named
visceral surface in chicken and
turkey, and with (17) who explained
that there were (costal and medial,
and ventral surfaces) in Japanese
quail.
Dimensions of right lung parities
left one of indigenous pigeons in this
study. These results incongruity with
(8) who clarified, in Male Turkey
(Meleagris gallopava), that the mean
length of right and left lungs were
(6.37 ± 0.24 cm) and (6.72 ± 0.17
cm) respectively, the mean width of
the right and left lungs were (3.35 ±
0.4 cm) and (3.68 ± 0.3 cm)
respectively, and the mean thickness
of the right and left lungs were (0.96
± 0.06 cm) and (1.025 ± 0.092 cm)
respectively Nevertheless, the length
and width of the left and right lungs
in chicken were (7cm) and (5cm)
respectively (9). But.
References:
1- Rastogi, S. C. (2007): Respiration.
In: Essential of animal physiology.
New Age Inter. (P) Ltd. PP. 263-
285.
2- Pesek, L. (2000): The avian
respiratory system. Winged
Wisdom Pet Bird Magazine 1: 1-3
3- Suthers, R.A. (2004): Vocal
mechanisms in birds and bats: a
comparative view. Annals of the
Brazilian Academy of Sci. 76(2):
247-252.
4- Bacha, W.J., and Bacha, L.M.
(2000): Color Atlas of Veterinary
Histology 2nd (ed.): Lippincott
Williams & Wilkins. PP: 175-190

Kufa Journal For Veterinary Medical Sciences Vol. (3) No. (1) 2012

5- Zwart, P. (2004): Emphysema in
the avian lung. Pathogenesis.
Euro.Association of Zoo- and
Wildlife Vet. (EAZWV) 5th
scientific meeting, Ebeltoft.
Denmark. PP. 81-82
6- Reese, S., Dalamani, G., and
Kaspers, B. (2006): The avian lung-
associated immune system: A
Review. Vet. Res. 37: 311-324
7- Onuk, B.; Haziroglu R.M.;
Kabak, M. (2009): Gross anatomy of
the respiratory system in goose
(Anser anser domesticus): Bronchi
and sacci pneumatici. Ankara Univ.
Vet. Fak. Derg. 56: 165-170
8- AL-Mussawy, A.M.M. (2011):
Anatomical and Histological Study
of Major Respiratory Organs
(Larynx, Trachea, Syrinx, Bronchi
and Lungs) In Indigenous Male
Turkey (Meleagris gallopava). M.S.
Thesis. AL-Qadisiya Uni. Vet.
Med. College.
9- Getty, R. (1975): Aves respiratory
system. In: Anatomy of domestic
animals. W.S. saunders co.
Philadelphia. PP. 1884-1917
10- Brown, R.E., Brain, J.D., and
Wang, N. (1997): The avian
respiratory system: A unique model
for studies of respiratory toxicosis
and for monitoring air quality.
Environ Health Perspect (105):188-
200.
11- Maina, J. N. (2000): What it
takes to fly: The structural and
functional respiratory refinements in
birds and bats. Jo. Exp. Biol. 203:
3045–3064
12- Maina, J.N., and Africa M.
(2000): Inspiratory aerodynamic
valving in the avian lung: Functional
morphology of the extrapulmonary
primary bronchus. J. Exp. Biol. 203:
2865-2876
13- Nganpiep, L.N., and Maina, J. N.
(2002): Composite cellular defense
stratagem in the avian respiratory
system: functional morphology of
the free (surface) macrophages and
specialized pulmonary epithelia. J.
Anat. 200: PP. 499–516
14- Shivaprasad, H.L. (2002):
Pathology of Birds–An Overview.
Vet. Med. Presented at C.L. Davis
Foundation Conference on Gross
Morbid Ana. of Ani. PP: 4-6
15- Swenson, M.J. (2004): Ducks
physiology of domestic animals. 9th
(Ed): Darya. Garya. Ganj., New
Delhi. PP. 203
16- Aspinall, V., and O´Reilly, M.
(2005): Bird respiratory system. In:
Introduction to Veterinary Anatomy
and Physiology. Butter Worth-
Heine Mann. PP. 164-168
17- Demirkan, A. Ç., Kurtul, I., and
Haziroglu, R. M. (2006): Gross
morphological features of the lung

Kufa Journal For Veterinary Medical Sciences Vol. (3) No. (1) 2012

and air sac in Japanese Quail. J. Vet.
Med. Sci. 68 (9): 909-913
18- Lbe, C.S., Onyeanusi, B.I.,
Salami, S.O., Umosen, A.D., and
Maidawa, S.M. (2008): Studies of
the major respiratory pathways of
the West african guinea fowl
(Numida meleagris galeata): The
Morphometric and Macroscopic
Aspects. Inter. J. of Poul. Sci. 7
(10): 997-1000
19- Baumel, J.J., King, A.S.,
Breazile, J.E., Evans, H.E., and
Vandan Berge, J.C. (1993):
Respiratory system. In: Hand book
of Avian Anatomy Nomina
Anatomica Avium 2nd (Ed): club.
Cambridge, Massachusetts. PP.
257-299
20- Sereno, P.C., Martinez, R.N.,
Wilson, J.A., Varricchio, D.J.,
Alcober, O.A., Larsson, H.C.E.
(2008): Evidence for avian
intrathoracic air sacs in a new
predatory dinosaur from argentina.
PLoS ONE 3(9): 1-20
21- McLelland, J., (1990):
Respiratory system. In: A Colour
Atlas of Avian Anatomy. Wolfe
Publishing Ltd. Eng. PP. 95-119
22- Frandson, R.D., Wilke, W.L.,
Fails, A.D. (2009): Poultry
respiratory system. In: Anatomy and
Physiology of farm Animals 7th (Ed):
Wiley-Black Well. PP. 471-474
23- Schachner, E.R., Lyson, T.R.,
and Dodson, P. (2009): Evolution of
the respiratory system in nonavian
theropods: Evidence from rib and
vertebral morphology. Ana. Rec.
292:1501–1513
24- Aughey, E., and Frye, F.L.
(2001): Comparative Veterinary
Histology with Clinical Correlates.
Manson Ltd. Lon. PP: 93-94
25- Reece, W.O. (2005): Avian
respiratory system morphology. In:
Function Anatomy and Physiology
of Domestic Animals 3rd (Ed):
Lippincott Williams and Wilking.
PP. 230-268
26- Woodward, J.D., and Maina,
J.N. (2005): A 3D digital
reconstruction of the components of
the gas exchange tissue of the lung
of the muscovy duck (Cairina
moschata). J. Anat. 206: 477–492.
27- Maina, J.N., and Nathanel C.
(2001): A qualitative and
quantitative study of the lung of an
Ostrich Struthio Camelus. Jo. Exp.
Biol. 204: 2313–2330.