A technique for study of lung function in birds by blocking the primary bronchus

The technique described allows in vivo placement of a blocking balloon in the avian primary bronchus between the origins of the two sets of secondary bronchi, the medioventrals and mediodorsals. With caudal air sacs cannulated the animal may then be ventilated with a constant flow of gas passing entirely through the gas-exchanging parabronchi. This technique has been found useful particularly in studies of pulmonary gas exchange in birds.