Vascularization of the trachea in the bottlenose dolphin: comparison with bovine and evidence for evolutionary adaptations to diving

The rigid structure of the mammalian trachea is functional to maintain constant patency and airflow during breathing, but no gas exchange takes place through its walls. The structure of the organ in dolphins shows increased rigidity of the tracheal cartilaginous rings and the presence of vascular la...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Cristina Ballarin, Paola Bagnoli, Antonella Peruffo, Bruno Cozzi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: The Royal Society 2018-01-01
Series:Royal Society Open Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/pdf/10.1098/rsos.171645