Avian Circulatory System

Carl G. Buscato
ZOO131: Comparative Anatomy and Phylogeny of Vertebrates
Mindanao State University-General Santos City

Circulatory System
I. Cardiovascular System
A. Blood
B. Blood Vessels
C. Heart
II. Lymphatic System
A. Major Lymph Organs
B. Minor Lymph Organs
I. Cardiovascular System
Transportation of oxygen, nutrients,
metabolic wastes and antibodies

Regulation of body temperature

Energy supply for various metabolic
demands
A. Blood
Plasma
water (~85%);

protein (~9-11%);

glucose (blood glucose levels in birds are greater
than in mammals; about 200-400 mg/dl),

Other constituents: amino acids, waste products,
hormones, antibodies, & electrolytes.
A. Blood
Red Blood Cells
elliptical, biconvex and nucleated

red blood cells are about 6x12 microns in size

2.5 to 4 million/cubic mm

lifespan of 28-45 days

contain hemoglobin
A. Blood
oxygen affinity is generally lower in birds than in
similar-sized mammals

Hematocrit averages about 40%

Hemopoietic bone marrow
produces RBC (shaded areas)
A. Blood
Thromobocytes
nucleated
similar function with the non-nucleated platelets of
mammalian blood)

White Blood Cells
- defense against foreign
pathogens, immune response
A. Blood
Types of Avian WBC:
1. Lymphocyte- most numerous white blood cell.
Either T-lymphocytes or B-lymphocytes produce
antibodies; T-lymphocytes attack infected or
abnormal cells.
A. Blood
Types of Avian WBC:
2. Heterophil- second most numerous in most
birds, phagocytic, use their enzyme-containing
granules to lyse ingested materials, motile and
can leave blood vessels to engulf foreign
materials.

A. Blood
Types of Avian WBC:
3. Monocytes- motile cells that can migrate using
ameboid movements. Monocytes are also
phagocytic.
A. Blood
Types of Avian WBC:
4. Eosinophils- make up about 2 to 3 % of the
WBC population of healthy birds
B. Blood Vessels
Similar pattern to mammals and reptiles

Aortic Arches - 6 in early embryo; 1, 2, & 5 drop out.
#3 Carotid Arteries to head
#4 Only right 4th persists as systemic arch
#6 Pulmonary arteries

Large brachial and pectoral arteries which supply
blood to flight musculature

Sytemic arch branches to the right

Arch 3
Arch 6
Arch 4
B. Blood Vessels
1. Arteries- carry blood away from the heart &
toward the body cells

2. Arterioles - 'distribute' blood (that is, direct
blood where needed with more going to active
tissues & organs & less to less active tissues &
organs) by vasodilating & vasoconstricting

3. Capillaries - exchange of nutrients, gases, &
waste products between the blood & the body
cells

4. Veins and venules (small veins)- conduct blood
back to the heart

B. Blood Vessels
Arteries
1. Carotids-head and brain
2. Brachials-wings
3. Pectorals-flight muscles (pectoralis)
4. The systemic arch (aorta)-all areas of
the body except the lungs.
5. The pulmonary arteries-the lungs
6. The celiac (or coeliac) is the first
major branch of the descending aorta
& delivers blood to organs & tissues
in the upper abdominal area
7. Renal arteries-kidneys
8. Femorals-legs
9. Caudal artery-tail
10. The posterior mesenteric-many organs
& tissues in the lower abdominal area

B. Blood Vessels
Veins
1. Jugular anastomosis allows blood to
flow from right to left side when the
birds head is turned & one of the
jugulars constricted
2. Jugular- head and neck
3. Brachial veins-wings
4. Pectoral veins- pectoral muscles and
anterior thorax
5. Superior vena cavae (or precavae)-
the anterior regions of the body
6. Inferior vena cava (or postcava)- the
posterior portion of the body
7. Hepatic vein- liver
8. Hepatic portal vein-digestive system.
9. Coccygeo mesenteric vein- posterior
digestive system & empties in the
hepatic portal vein
10. Femoral veins- legs
11. Sciatic veins drain- hip or thigh
regions.
12. Renal & renal portal veins- kidneys

C. Heart
4-chambered Heart, complete double circulation

1.5-2 X larger than in comparable mammals
Maintain higher metabolism

Smaller birds have relatively larger hearts than
larger birds

Heart size increases with latitude, altitude for
same species
C. Heart
C. Heart
C. Heart
C. Heart
II. Lymphatic System
Remove and destroy toxic substances

Transportation of digested fat from the intestine to the
bloodstream

Poorly developed compared to mammals

Valves are present in lymph vessels to prevent
backflow. Lymph is moved by skeletal muscle
contraction

Lymph Hearts are present in all bird embryos usually
disappear in adults, but persist in a few species -
Ostrich, Cassowaries, Gulls, Storks, some Passerines

A. Major Lymph Organs
1. Bursa of Fabricius
predominate in young birds
situated adjacent to the cloaca
source of antigen-producing B-lymphocytes in
embryonic stage.
as birds grow older, the bursa of Fabricus
becomes smaller and at about the time of the
bird's sexual maturity, it has atrophied and no
longer function

A. Major Lymph Organs
2. Thymus Gland
located in the neck along the jugular vein

functions at peak levels in the young

produces hormones that program certain lymphocytes
against certain antigens (t-lymphocytes)
B. Secondary Lymph Organs
1. Spleen
divided into red and white pulp
white pulp is where the T-lymphocytes reside
spleen filters and cleans the blood of debris and
destroys worn out red blood cells
2. Bone marrow
produces lymphocytes and macrophages
3. Capillaries
transport lymph fluid throughout the body
4. Lymph
nodes filter lymph
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