Review of respiratory anatomy adaptations in whales

Abstract

Whales (cetaceans, including dolphins and porpoises) are superbly adapted to life in water, but retain vestiges of their terrestrial ancestry, particularly the need to breathe air. Their respiratory tract exhibits many differences from their closest relatives, the terrestrial artiodactyls (even toed ungulates). In this review, we describe the anatomy of cetacean respiratory adaptions. These include protective features (e.g., preventing water incursions during breathing or swallowing, mitigating effects of pressure changes during diving/ascent) and unique functions (e.g., underwater sound production, regulating gas exchange during the dive cycle).