Bird, trachea (Gross, Low)

Structure List Path of embedded trachea

This specimen shows the unusual arrangement of the trachea in the trumpeter swan. Note how the trachea takes a circuitous route and is embedded in the sternum. This allows the trachea to act as a resonance chamber for phonition in the swan. The trumpeter swan trachea has the long route, and a low, loud call. In most birds the trachea is not embedded, and follows a direct route to the lungs.