The Major Body Systems

BIRDSPresented by: Matt Reian Daniel B. Tud

 Contents:
• Digestive System
• Reproduction System
• Respiratory System
• Circulatory System
• Skeletal System
• Nervous System
 1. Digestive System

The digestive system of a bird is designed to

process food quickly and efficiently, allowing birds
to fly and maintain a low body weight.
 Parts of the Digestive System
• Mouth and Beak
• Esophagus
• Crop
• Proventriculus
• Gizzard
• Small And Large Intestines
• Ceca
• Cloaca
 Mouth And Beak

The mouth and beak of a

bird are used to ingest and
partially process food. The
tongue helps move food to
the esophagus, and the
beak is adapted to the type
of food the bird eats.
 Esophagus

The esophagus in a bird's

digestive system moves
food from the mouth to the
stomach. It's a muscular
tube that's flexible and can
stretch to accommodate
large amounts of food.
 The Crop

The crop is a pouch in a

bird's digestive system
that stores food and begins
the process of digestion. It's
located in the neck, just
outside the body cavity, and
is an extension of the
esophagus.
 Proventriculus

The proventriculus is
a glandular organ in a
bird's stomach
that secretes digestive
juices and breaks
down food. It's located
between the
esophagus and the
gizzard.
 The Gizzard

The gizzard is a
muscular organ in
a bird's digestive
system that grinds
food into smaller
pieces and mixes it
with digestive
enzymes.
 The Small Intestines

The small intestine in

birds' digestive
systems absorbs
nutrients and digests
food. It's the longest
part of a chicken's
gastrointestinal system.
The Large Intestines

The large intestine in

birds absorbs water,
dries out undigested
food, and removes
waste. It is made up of
the colon, the caeca,
and the cloaca.
 The Ceca

The ceca in a bird's digestive

system perform many
functions,
including fermentation, water
absorption, and digestion. The
ceca are a pair of blind-ended
pouches located where the
small and large intestines
meet.
 Cloaca

The cloaca in a bird's

digestive system is a
chamber that collects
and excretes waste,
including urine, feces,
and reproductive
cells. It also reabsorbs
water from the
digestive tract.
 2. Reproduction System

The reproductive system of birds is heterosexual,

meaning that both male and female birds are
required for reproduction.
 Male Reproductive System

• Testes
• Epididymis
• Vas Deferens
 The Testes
The testes of a bird are the gonads that are part of the
male reproductive system. They are located in the
abdominal cavity, deep behind the kidneys. The testes
produces sperms, which are flagellated and have long
rectangular heads. Sperm are stored in the distal part
of the ductus deferens, where the temperature is
lower than body temperature.
 The Epididymis

The epididymis is a coiled tube in a

bird's reproductive system that carries
sperm from the testes to the vas
deferens. It's a male sex accessory duct,
along with the seminiferous tubules,
rete testis, and vas deferens.
 The Functions of the Epididymis
are:
• Sperm maturation: The epididymis is where sperm undergo
final maturation and gain motility
• Fluid resorption: The epididymis reabsorbs fluid released
from the testes along with the sperm
• Sperm storage: The cauda epididymis stores mature sperm
• Antioxidant protection: The epididymis produces antioxidant
proteins to protect sperm from oxidative damage
 Vas Deferens

The vas deferens are the tubes in a

male bird's reproductive system
that transport sperm from the testes
to the cloaca. They are also where
sperm mature and are stored.
The Functions of the Vas Deferens
are:
• Sperm transport: The vas deferens carry
sperm from the testes to the cloaca
• Sperm storage: The vas deferens store
sperm
• Ejaculation: Applying pressure to the vas
deferens causes ejaculation
 Female Reproductive System

• Ovary
• Oviduct
• Cloaca
 The Ovary

The ovary is a cluster of developing

ova in a bird's reproductive
system. It's located in the
abdominal cavity, and is responsible
for producing ova, or eggs.
 Functions:

• The ovary produces ova, or eggs.

• The ovary releases ova into the body cavity
through a process called ovulation.
• The ova are fertilized in the body cavity or
just after they enter the oviduct.
 The Oviduct

The oviduct is a tube-shaped organ in a

bird's reproductive system that carries
the egg from the ovary to the outside of
the body. It's also where the egg is
formed.
 Function:
• Transport: The oviduct moves eggs from the ovary to the uterus. If
fertilization occurs, it also transports the fertilized egg to the uterus.
• Support: The oviduct provides a suitable environment for eggs,
sperm, and early embryos. It also provides structural and nutritional
support for early embryo development.
• Regulate: The oviduct regulates the timing of implantation. It uses
muscle contractions, ciliary beating, and oviductal fluid to transport
embryos. Sex hormones, estrogen and progesterone, regulate these
mechanisms.
 The Cloaca

• The cloaca is a chamber at the end of a

bird's digestive tract that serves as a
common opening for the reproductive,
urinary, and digestive systems. It also
functions as a passageway for
gametes, or sperm and eggs.
 Functions:

• The cloaca is where sperm and eggs are

transferred
• The cloaca is where urine and feces are
excreted
• The cloaca is where mating occurs, called
cloacal copulation or cloacal kissing
 3. Respiratory System

The respiratory system of birds is made up of

lungs, air sacs, and other parts that allow
birds to exchange oxygen and carbon
dioxide. It's highly efficient, allowing birds to
breathe even at high altitudes.
Parts of the Respiratory System:
• Nares
• Larynx
• Trachea
• Bronchi
• Lungs
• Air sacs
• Syrinx
 The Nares

The nares are the

nostrils of birds, which
are the openings in a
bird's beak that allow
air to pass into the
respiratory system.
 Functions:

• Filter air: The nares filter air that the

bird breathes in.
• Allow air to pass into the respiratory
system: The nares allow air to pass into
the bird's respiratory system.
 The Larynx

The larynx in a bird's

respiratory system is a valve
that protects the airway and
allows air to pass into the
trachea. It doesn't produce
sound, but it's a key part of
the respiratory system.
 Functions

• Respiratory valve: Protects the airway

and allows air to pass into the trachea
• Opening to the trachea: The rima
glottis is the opening of the larynx into
the trachea
 Structure:

• Made of four cartilages covered by a

mucosa
• The cranial larynx is located in the
pharyngeal region of the mouth
• The larynx closes when food is passing
down the throat
 The Trachea

The trachea in a bird's

respiratory system is a
hollow, rigid tube that
carries air from the upper
respiratory system to the
lungs and air sacs. It's also
known as the windpipe.
 Function:

• The trachea moves air into and out of

the lungs and air sacs
• In some birds, the trachea may form a
loop to accommodate other airways
and produce sound
 Structure:
• The trachea is made of cartilage rings that
overlap and keep it from collapsing
• It's located in the chest, alongside the esophagus
• The trachea splits into two smaller tubes called
bronchi as it goes deeper into the body
 The Bronchi

The bronchi in a bird's

respiratory system are tubes
that branch off from the
trachea and into the
lungs. The bronchi include
the primary bronchi,
mesobronchi, ventrobronchi,
and dorsobronchi.
 Explanation of Each Bronchi
• Primary bronchi: The primary bronchi are muscular tubes that branch
into the lungs.
• Mesobronchi: The primary bronchi become the mesobronchi once they
enter the lungs.
• Ventrobronchi: The ventrobronchi branch off from the cranial part of the
mesobronchi.
• Dorsobronchi: The dorsobronchi branch off from the caudal part of the
mesobronchi.
• Parabronchi: The dorsobronchi split to form the parabronchi, which are
continuous tubes that allow air to flow through the lungs in one direction.
 Functions:

• Airflow: The bronchi carry air from the

trachea to the lungs.
• Gas exchange: The bronchi allow oxygen
to flow into the lungs and carbon dioxide to
flow out.
 The Lungs

The lungs in a bird's

respiratory system are small,
compact, and wedge-shaped
organs that perform gas
exchange. They are attached
to the ribs and vertebrae in
the coelomic cavity.
Primary Functions of the Lungs:
• Gas exchange: Oxygen from the air diffuses into the
blood, while carbon dioxide from the blood diffuses into
the lungs.
• Air sacs: Air sacs inflate and deflate to move air
through the lungs.
• Airflow: Air flows in one direction through the lungs
and air sacs, which helps birds obtain oxygen
efficiently.
Secondary Functions of the Lungs:

• Temperature regulation: The respiratory system releases

heat.
• Chemical detoxification: The respiratory system detoxes
certain chemicals.
• Acid-base balance: The respiratory system rapidly adjusts
acid-base balance.
• Vocalization: The respiratory system is involved in
vocalization.
 The Air Sacs

Air sacs in the

respiratory system of
birds are thin-walled
extensions of the
bronchi that help birds
breathe and maximize
access to oxygen.
 Types of Air Sacs

• Clavicular
• Cranial Thoracic
• Caudal Thoracic
• Abdominal
 Clavicular Air Sac

The clavicular air sac is a thin-walled,

unpaired air sac in the cranial end of a bird's
coelom. It's located near the heart, trachea,
esophagus, and sternocoracoideus
muscles. The clavicular air sac connects to
the third medioventral secondary bronchus.
 Cranial Thoracic Air Sac

The cranial thoracic air sac is one of

the air sacs in a bird's respiratory
system. Air sacs are thin-walled,
inflatable membranes that help
ventilate the lungs.
 Caudal Thoracic Air Sac

The caudal thoracic air sac is a

paired air sac in a bird's respiratory
system that starts at the base of the
heart and runs to the lateral
thoracic and abdominal walls.
 Abdominal Air Sac

The abdominal air sac is a

balloon-like extension of the
respiratory system in birds that
helps move air in and out of the
lungs.
 Functions:
• Unidirectional airflow: Air sacs help to move air
through the lungs in one direction, which means
that more oxygen is available for the blood.
• Ventilation: Air sacs act as bellows to help move
air into and out of the lungs.
• Air storage: Air sacs store some of the air that
moves through the respiratory system.
 The Syrinx

The syrinx is a vocal

organ in the respiratory
system of birds that allows
them to produce
sound. It's located at the
base of the trachea, near
the split that leads to the
lungs.
 Functions:
• Sound production The syrinx produces sound by vibrating
membranes called the tympanic membranes. The tension of these
membranes is controlled by muscles, which changes the shape of the
sound.
• Airflow control The syrinx controls airflow during breathing and
sound production. The labia of the syrinx move in and out of the
bronchial lumen to control airflow.
• Lateralization The syrinx allows some songbirds to produce multiple
sounds at once. Muscles on the left and right branches of the syrinx
can modulate vibrations independently.
 4. The Circulatory System

The circulatory system of birds is a closed

system that carries oxygen and nutrients
throughout the body. It includes the heart,
blood vessels, and blood.
 The Heart

The heart in a bird's

circulatory system is a
muscular, four-chambered
pump that moves blood
throughout the body. The
heart's chambers are the right
atrium, right ventricle, left
atrium, and left ventricle.
 Functions of Ventricles and
Atriums:
• The ventricles of a bird's heart pump blood to the lungs and
the rest of the body. The left ventricle pumps oxygenated blood
to the body, while the right ventricle pumps deoxygenated
blood to the lungs.

• The atria of a bird's heart receive blood from the body and
lungs, and then pump it into the ventricles. The atria's thin
walls move blood to the ventricles, which have thicker walls
and pump blood throughout the body.
 Blood Vessels

The blood vessels in a bird's circulatory

system are arteries, veins, capillaries,
venules, and sinusoids.
 The Blood

Blood in a bird's circulatory system carries

oxygen and nutrients to the body's cells, and
removes waste products. The blood contains
red blood cells, white blood cells, and
platelets.
 5. Skeletal System

The skeletal system of a bird is lightweight and

compact, but strong enough to support flight. It's
made up of many thin, hollow bones called
pneumatic bones, as well as fused bones that make
the skeleton rigid.
The Bones Of the Skeletal System:
• Sternum
• Pectoral Girdle
• Humerus
• Scapula
• Coracoid
• Vertebrae
• Pneumatic Bones
 The Sternum

The sternum is a large, single

bone in a bird's breast that
provides support for its internal
organs and serves as an
attachment point for flight
muscles. It's also known as the
breastbone.
 Functions:

• Support The sternum supports the

coelomic organs, which include the heart
and lungs.
• Flight The sternum provides a broad
surface for the attachment of flight
muscles, such as the pectoralis and supracoracoideus muscles.
 Pectoral Girdle

The pectoral girdle in birds

is a skeletal structure that
connects the wings to the
trunk. It's a key part of a
bird's flight apparatus, and
is made up of the scapula,
coracoid, clavicle, and
sometimes an interclavicle.
 Functions:
• Attaches muscles: The pectoral girdle provides the origin point for
the muscles that move the forelimbs.
• Supports wing bones: The pectoral girdle supports the wing bones.
• Forms a pocket for the humerus: The scapula and coracoid form a
pocket called the glenoid cavity, where the head of the humerus
attaches.
• Forms a channel for the supracoracoideus muscle tendon: The
coracoid, scapula, and clavicle form the foramen triosseum, which is a
channel for the tendon of the supracoracoideus muscle.
 Humerus

The humerus is the bone in

a bird's upper arm that
connects the wing to the
pectoral girdle. It's a key
part of the skeleton that
supports the wing's
stresses and allows for
flight.
 Functions:
• Flight: The humerus supports the forces of the flight
muscles and the aerodynamic stresses on the wing.
• Locomotion: The humerus's shape has evolved to
support a variety of locomotory functions, including diving
and flight.
• Attachment: The humerus has attachment points for the
major flight muscles, including the supracoracoideus and
superficial pectoral muscles.
 The Scapula

The scapula is a long, flat,

triangular bone in a bird's
shoulder girdle that's also
known as the shoulder
blade. It's one of three
paired bones in the girdle,
along with the coracoid
and humerus.
 Functions:
• Stability: The scapula helps stabilize the wings
and the limb
• Range of motion: The scapula allows the wings
to move in a wide range of directions
• Attachment point: The scapula provides a place
for muscles to attach to the forelimb
 The Coracoid

The coracoid is a short,

strong bone in the
shoulder joint of birds that
connects the sternum to
the shoulder joint. It's part
of the pectoral girdle,
which also includes the
scapula and clavicle.
 Functions:
• Wing strut: The coracoid acts as a strut that braces the
forelimbs against the sternum.
• Protects the lungs: The coracoid prevents the pectoral
muscles from compressing the thorax on the
downstroke of the wing.
• Stabilizes the shoulder joint: The coracoid process, a
small hook-like structure on the coracoid, helps stabilize
the shoulder joint.
 The Vertebrae

The vertebrae in a bird's

skeletal system are the
bones that make up its
spine. The vertebrae of a
bird include the cervical,
thoracic, lumbar, sacral,
and caudal vertebrae.
 Pneumatic Bones

Pneumatic bones are hollow bones in birds

that are connected to their respiratory
system. They are important for flight and
breathing.
 Examples of Pneumatic Bones
• Skull
• Humerus
• Clavicle
• Keel (sternum)
• Pelvic Girdle
• Lumbar
• Sacral Vertebrae
 6. The Nervous System

A bird's nervous system controls and

coordinates its movement, behavior, senses,
digestion, and reproduction. It's made up of
the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral
nervous system.
 The Nervous System Contains:
• Brain
• Spinal Cord
• Peripheral Nervous System
• Sensory Organs
• Autonomic Nervous System
• Somatic Nervous System
 • Cerebrum: The "thinking" part of the brain
that controls perception and complex
behaviors
• Cerebellum: The center of mechanical
coordination that controls fine movement,
The Brain especially for flight
• Midbrain: A processing station that transmits
The brain in a bird's nervous information between the thalamus and the
system is the central organ that spinal cord
processes information and • Thalamus: Collects and distributes sensory
controls the body's actions. It's information
located in the skull and is made
up of many parts, including the • Olfactory bulb: Controls the sense of smell
forebrain, midbrain, and • Hypothalamus: Regulates feed and water
hindbrain. intake, and is also involved in adrenal
function
• Pituitary gland: Releases chemicals that
control growth
 Brain Function
• The brain receives information from the
environment through neurons
• The brain processes the information and makes
decisions about how to respond
• The brain sends signals through neurons to
control the body's organs and systems
 Neurons

• Neurons, also known as nerve cells,

are cells that transmit information
throughout the body using electrical
and chemical signals. They are the
basic building blocks of the brain and
nervous system.
 The Spinal Cord

The spinal cord in

birds is a nerve cord
that runs from the
brain to the end of the
vertebral column. It's
part of the central
nervous system
(CNS), which also
includes the brain and
retina.
 Function:
• The spinal cord is responsible for sending
messages between the brain and the rest of
the body
• The lumbosacral region of the spinal cord
may act as a sense organ of equilibrium,
helping birds walk on the ground
 • Cranial nerves: These paired nerves
connect the brain to the muscles and
sense organs of the head and
thorax. Birds have 12 pairs of cranial
Peripheral Nervous nerves.
System • Spinal nerves: These nerves transmit
sensory information from the muscles and
The peripheral nervous skin to the central nervous system (CNS).
system (PNS) of birds • Autonomic nervous system: This
is made up of nerves, system controls visceral functions, such
ganglia, and Plexi that as heart rate and breathing, without
connect the brain and conscious thought. It has two divisions:
the sympathetic nervous system, which is
spinal cord to the rest of activated during stressful situations, and
the body. the parasympathetic nervous system,
which is active during rest.
 Sensory Organs

The sensory organs of

a bird's nervous
system include
the eyes, ears,
olfactory organs, and
taste buds. These
organs receive stimuli
from the environment
and send information
to the brain.
 How it works
• The autonomic nervous system is
made up of two branches that extend
Autonomic Nervous from the brain to the body.
System
• The two branches are the
sympathetic and parasympathetic
The autonomic nervous system
in birds is the part of the nervous systems, which have
nervous system that controls opposing effects.
involuntary functions, such as
heart rate, digestion, and • The autonomic nervous system is
breathing. It's also known as regulated by the hypothalamus,
the visceral nervous system. brainstem, and limbic system.
• The autonomic nervous system
controls internal organs, smooth
muscles, and glands.
 What it Controls:
What it controls
• Heart rate: The autonomic nervous system controls the rate and force of the heart's
contractions.
• Digestion: The autonomic nervous system controls the process of digestion.
• Breathing: The autonomic nervous system controls the rate of breathing.
• Pupillary response: The autonomic nervous system controls the size of the pupil.
• Urination: The autonomic nervous system controls urination.
• Sexual arousal: The autonomic nervous system controls sexual arousal.
• Fight-or-flight response: The autonomic nervous system triggers the fight-or-flight
response, also known as the acute stress response.
 How it works
• Afferent nerves: Carry sensory
information from the body to the spinal
Somatic Nervous cord
System • Efferent nerves: Carry motor
commands from the spinal cord to the
The somatic nervous muscles
system (SNS) in birds • Sensory receptors: Specialized nerve
is the part of the endings that detect information inside
nervous system that and outside the body
controls voluntary • Neuromuscular junction
actions, such as (NMJ): Converts electrical signals
moving a body from the CNS into chemical signals
that cause muscles to contract
part. It's made up of
nerves that connect
the spinal cord to the