Tracheal morphometrics in the Thoroughbred horse

• Published in: Journal of equine veterinary science Vol. 21; no. 5; pp. 242 - 245
• Main Authors: de Freitas, Rodrigo Ramos, Pogliani 1, Fabio Celidonio, Moretti, Nivaldo, Irino 1, Eduardo Toshio, Stopiglia, Angelo João, Macruz, Romeu, Fantoni, Denise Tabacchi, Jatene, Fabio Biscegli
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 01-05-2001
• DOI: 10.1016/S0737-0806(01)70043-3
• EISSN: 1542-7412
• ISSN: 0737-0806

Equine tracheal lesions have been associated with the orotracheal intubation procedure. These lesions may occur because of differences in the dimensions of the endotracheal tube and the trachea. The importance of the dimensions of the trachea for studies on respiratory mechanics and the lesions produced by the endotracheal tubes encouraged us to determine the size of trachea of the Thoroughbred horse. This study determined and compared the length and internal diameters of the tracheas from 59 Thoroughbred horses, 35 males and 34 females, weighing between 400 kg and 500 kg, and free of signs of respiratory or cardiopulmonary diseases. The tracheas were removed from the horses between 2 and 12 hours after death. The internal diameters were measured in tracheal rings one, twenty, forty and the last before the carina. The length of each trachea was measured in both the normal and extended state. The number of tracheal rings was also determined. In the unstretched trachea, the width of the last tracheal ring and the number of tracheal rings were significantly greater in males than females. The results of this study provide information for better design and manufacturing of endotracheal tubes and as basic information for further studies on equine respiratory mechanics.