Poultry Anatomy & Physiology Flashcards
7 cards from real CPT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Poultry Anatomy & Physiology flashcards as text
What is the cloaca in poultry?
Answer: A common chamber where the digestive, urinary, and reproductive tracts converge and exit the body
The cloaca is a single terminal chamber that receives products from the digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems, all of which exit the body through a single opening called the vent.
Which organ in the avian digestive system is equivalent to a glandular stomach and secretes hydrochloric acid and pepsin?
Answer: Proventriculus
The proventriculus is the glandular stomach of birds, responsible for secreting digestive enzymes and hydrochloric acid before feed passes to the muscular gizzard.
What is the primary function of the bursa of Fabricius in young chickens?
Answer: It is a primary lymphoid organ responsible for B-lymphocyte (B-cell) maturation
The bursa of Fabricius is a cloacal lymphoid organ unique to birds where B-lymphocytes mature and differentiate, making it critical to humoral immunity in young poultry.
How many chambers does the avian heart have?
Answer: Four — two atria and two ventricles
Like mammals, birds have a four-chambered heart with complete separation of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood, supporting their high metabolic demands.
What is the primary function of the gizzard (ventriculus) in poultry?
Answer: Mechanical grinding and trituration of feed
The gizzard is a highly muscular organ that mechanically grinds feed, often aided by ingested grit, reducing particle size before further digestion in the small intestine.
Which gland in poultry secretes an oily substance used by birds to waterproof and condition their feathers?
Answer: Uropygial (preen) gland
The uropygial gland, located at the base of the tail, secretes a waxy oil that birds spread over their feathers during preening to maintain waterproofing and feather condition.
What feature of the avian respiratory system allows continuous, unidirectional airflow over the lungs during both inhalation and exhalation?
Answer: A system of air sacs that act as bellows to move air unidirectionally through the rigid lungs
Birds possess a network of air sacs (typically nine) that function as bellows, ensuring air flows in one direction through the parabronchi of the rigid lungs for maximum oxygen extraction.