Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Convergent Evolution01:54

Convergent Evolution

Evolution shapes the features of organisms over time, ensuring that they are suited for the environments in which they live. Sometimes, selection pressure leads to the rise of similar but unrelated adaptations in organisms with no recent common ancestors, a process known as convergent evolution.The structures that arise from convergent evolution are called analogous structures. They are similar in function even if they are dissimilar in structure. Further, structures can be analogous while also...
The Hyoid Bone01:12

The Hyoid Bone

The hyoid bone is a small U-shaped bone located in the upper neck at the level of the inferior mandible, with its tips pointing posteriorly. It does not directly articulate with any other bone in the body. The hyoid acts as the attachment site for the tongue, the larynx, and the pharynx. It is held in position by a series of small muscles attached from above or below. These muscles help to move the hyoid up/down or forward/back in coordination with movements of the tongue, larynx, and pharynx...
Gastrulation01:56

Gastrulation

Gastrulation establishes the three primary tissues of an embryo: the ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. This developmental process relies on a series of intricate cellular movements, which in humans transforms a flat, “bilaminar disc” composed of two cell sheets into a three-tiered structure. In the resulting embryo, the endoderm serves as the bottom layer, and stacked directly above it is the intermediate mesoderm, and then the uppermost ectoderm. Respectively, these tissue strata will form...
Larynx01:21

Larynx

The human larynx, often referred to as the voice box, is an intricate organ located in the neck. It serves as a pathway for air to enter the lungs during respiration and is an essential component of voice production.
Anatomy of the Larynx
The larynx consists of various components, including cartilage, muscles, and vocal cords. Its structure includes three large unpaired cartilages—the thyroid, cricoid, and epiglottis—and three smaller paired cartilages—the arytenoids, corniculates, and...
Anatomy of Respiratory System I: Upper Respiratory Tract01:29

Anatomy of Respiratory System I: Upper Respiratory Tract

The upper respiratory tract plays a vital role in the respiratory system, comprising several structures that facilitate air intake and prepare air for the lungs. It also serves as the first line of defense against pathogens and particles. This tract includes the nose and nasal cavity, the oral cavity, the paranasal sinuses, and the pharynx, each with specific functions and features.
Nose and nasal cavity
The nose and nasal cavity represent the main external openings of the respiratory tract.
Pharynx01:20

Pharynx

The pharynx, a tubular structure framed by skeletal muscle and lined with mucous membrane, extends continuously from the nasal cavities. It is segmented into three major areas: the nasopharynx, oropharynx, and laryngopharynx.
Nasopharynx
The nasopharynx, bordered by the conchae of the nasal cavity, serves exclusively as an air conduit. In its superior region, the pharyngeal tonsils or adenoids are located. These tonsils are clusters of lymphoid reticular tissue akin to a lymph node. The precise...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Exploring the accuracy of palaeobiological modelling procedures in forward-dynamics simulations of maximum-effort vertical jumping.

Royal Society open science·2025
Same author

Testing the form-function paradigm: body shape correlates with kinematics but not energetics in selectively-bred birds.

Communications biology·2024
Same author

Shell shape does not accurately predict self-righting ability in hatchling freshwater turtles.

Scientific reports·2024
Same author

Absence of atrial smooth muscle in the heart of the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta): a re-evaluation of its role in diving physiology.

The Journal of experimental biology·2022
Same author

The cost of chewing: The energetics and evolutionary significance of mastication in humans.

Science advances·2022
Same author

The metabolic cost of turning right side up in the Mediterranean spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca).

Scientific reports·2022
Same journal

Energy reserves, rather than body size, are associated with ovarian development in two-year-old female European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.).

Comparative biochemistry and physiology. Part A, Molecular & integrative physiology·2026
Same journal

Integrated nutritional, antimicrobial, and transcriptomic analysis of the caudal gland in Sepiella inermis reveals a specialized bioactive defense organ.

Comparative biochemistry and physiology. Part A, Molecular & integrative physiology·2026
Same journal

Disruption of Pik3r1 promotes muscle hyperplasia and lipolysis in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella).

Comparative biochemistry and physiology. Part A, Molecular & integrative physiology·2026
Same journal

Methods: Novel use of mitochondrial function to optimize the permeabilization of crustacean gill types.

Comparative biochemistry and physiology. Part A, Molecular & integrative physiology·2026
Same journal

Kisspeptin-2 stimulates testicular function in adult pejerrey (Odontesthes bonariensis): Does it act directly on the testes?

Comparative biochemistry and physiology. Part A, Molecular & integrative physiology·2026
Same journal

A single GPCR locus in Drosophila melanogaster partitions stress physiology by sex.

Comparative biochemistry and physiology. Part A, Molecular & integrative physiology·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 17, 2026

Two-step Approach to Explore Early- and Late-stages of Organ Formation in the Avian Model: The Thymus and Parathyroid Glands Organogenesis Paradigm
13:43

Two-step Approach to Explore Early- and Late-stages of Organ Formation in the Avian Model: The Thymus and Parathyroid Glands Organogenesis Paradigm

Published on: June 17, 2018

Uncinate processes in birds: morphology, physiology and function.

Jonathan R Codd1

  • 13.614 Stopford Bldg Faculty of Life Science University of Manchester, Manchester M139PT, UK. jonathan.codd@manchester.ac.uk

Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. Part A, Molecular & Integrative Physiology
|December 29, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Bird respiratory systems are complex and efficient, with uncinate processes playing a key role in breathing mechanics and evolution. Their variation reveals insights into locomotion adaptations and evolutionary links to theropod dinosaurs.

More Related Videos

Assessing Species-specific Contributions To Craniofacial Development Using Quail-duck Chimeras
09:38

Assessing Species-specific Contributions To Craniofacial Development Using Quail-duck Chimeras

Published on: May 31, 2014

Isolation of Embryonic Tissues and Formation of Quail-Chicken Chimeric Organs Using The Thymus Example
14:23

Isolation of Embryonic Tissues and Formation of Quail-Chicken Chimeric Organs Using The Thymus Example

Published on: February 16, 2019

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 17, 2026

Two-step Approach to Explore Early- and Late-stages of Organ Formation in the Avian Model: The Thymus and Parathyroid Glands Organogenesis Paradigm
13:43

Two-step Approach to Explore Early- and Late-stages of Organ Formation in the Avian Model: The Thymus and Parathyroid Glands Organogenesis Paradigm

Published on: June 17, 2018

Assessing Species-specific Contributions To Craniofacial Development Using Quail-duck Chimeras
09:38

Assessing Species-specific Contributions To Craniofacial Development Using Quail-duck Chimeras

Published on: May 31, 2014

Isolation of Embryonic Tissues and Formation of Quail-Chicken Chimeric Organs Using The Thymus Example
14:23

Isolation of Embryonic Tissues and Formation of Quail-Chicken Chimeric Organs Using The Thymus Example

Published on: February 16, 2019

Area of Science:

  • Comparative anatomy
  • Evolutionary biology
  • Vertebrate physiology

Background:

  • The avian respiratory system is highly complex and efficient, contributing to bird's evolutionary success.
  • Uncinate processes, accessory breathing structures on vertebral ribs, are crucial for avian respiration and locomotion.
  • Despite extensive study, the full functional and evolutionary significance of avian respiratory structures remains an active area of research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of uncinate processes in avian respiratory mechanics and evolution.
  • To explore the relationship between uncinate process morphology, locomotion, and breathing.
  • To provide evidence for avian ancestry through the presence of uncinate processes in theropod dinosaurs.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative morphological analysis of uncinate processes across extant bird species.
  • Examination of the functional implications of uncinate processes in ventilation and locomotion.
  • Paleontological evidence linking avian uncinate processes to theropod dinosaurs.

Main Results:

  • Uncinate processes are present in nearly all extant birds and are integral to breathing mechanics (inspiration and expiration).
  • Morphological variations in uncinate processes correlate with different avian locomotion strategies, indicating adaptation.
  • The presence of uncinate processes in theropod dinosaurs supports their role as bird ancestors and highlights ventilatory system flexibility.

Conclusions:

  • Uncinate processes are critical for understanding both the function and evolution of the avian respiratory system.
  • Locomotory adaptations significantly influence the morphology and function of uncinate processes.
  • Uncinate processes provide a key anatomical link between theropod dinosaurs and modern birds, underscoring evolutionary flexibility.