Lauridsen, Henrik; Bie Thøstesen, Charlotte; Pedersen, Christina Carøe Ejlskov; Ringgaard, Steffen; Elstrup, Mette; Møller, Peter Daniel Rask; Johansson, Daniel Klingberg; Alstrup, Aage Kristian Olsen (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2022-12-14)
Recently, a unique mechanism for protecting the airway
during lunge feeding was discovered in rorqual whales
(Balaenopteridae). This mechanism is based on an oral plug
structure in the soft palate with similarities in musculo-fatty
composition to the nasal plugs protecting the respiratory tract
of rorquals from water entry and barotrauma during diving. As
a follow-up, we present here a ...