
The canine throat and respiratory system are intricately connected, making up a vital part of a dog's overall health.
The larynx, or voice box, is located at the top of the trachea and is responsible for producing sound when a dog barks or whines. It's a pretty amazing piece of anatomy, considering it's made up of cartilage, muscles, and ligaments.
The trachea, or windpipe, is a tube that connects the larynx to the lungs, allowing air to pass through. It's a pretty robust tube, lined with cartilage rings that help keep it open.
Dogs have a unique respiratory system that allows them to take in a lot of air quickly, which is essential for their high-energy lifestyle.
Take a look at this: Respiratory System in a Dog
Dog Esophagus and Trachea
The canine esophagus is a tube that conveys food from the mouth to the stomach with virtually no absorption of what's eaten. It's like a delivery system that gets your pup's favorite food and treats from her mouth to her tummy.
The canine esophagus sits alongside the trachea, beginning as part of the pharynx. Sphincters on either end of the esophagus aid in getting food to its destination without harm to other parts of the throat anatomy.
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The top sphincter muscle keeps food heading into the esophagus and not the larynx. This is crucial to prevent food from entering the airway.
The bottom sphincter muscle is the entrance to the stomach. It's closed whenever the dog isn't swallowing to keep air from entering the digestive tract.
The epiglottis is a small but mighty flap of cartilage that sits on top of the larynx. It acts as a gatekeeper, preventing food from entering the larynx and the windpipe when the dog swallows.
The epiglottis is shaped like a leaf and moves over the entrance to the larynx once swallowing commences. It can also direct air toward the esophagus when your dog breathes.
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Canine Larynx in Barking
Your dog's larynx, or voice box, is the source of all his barking, growling, whining, and other vocalizations. It sits atop the trachea and serves as tracheal protection along with the epiglottis.
The larynx consists of cartilage, muscles, and ligaments. It's kept in place by the hyoid apparatus, which also supports your dog's tongue and pharynx.
Your dog's larynx is bordered on the sides and front by the thyroid gland, shaped like a shield.
Dog Epiglottis Anatomy
Your dog's epiglottis is small but mighty, acting as a gatekeeper to prevent food from entering the larynx and windpipe when swallowing.
It's shaped like a leaf and moves over the entrance to the larynx once swallowing commences.
The epiglottis directs air toward the esophagus when your dog breathes, just as it does with humans.
Canine Throat Anatomy

Your dog's larynx, or voice box, sits atop the trachea and is the source of all his barking, growling, and whining. It serves as tracheal protection along with the epiglottis.
The larynx consists of cartilage, muscles, and ligaments, and is kept in place by the hyoid apparatus, which also supports your dog's tongue and pharynx.
Inflammation of the larynx is known as laryngitis, and can be caused by excessive barking, distemper, or bronchitis.
Trachea Function
The trachea is a vital part of a dog's throat anatomy, playing a crucial role in their respiratory system.
It's a tube-like structure that connects the larynx to the bronchi, and it's approximately 4-5 inches long in dogs.
The trachea is lined with cilia, tiny hair-like structures that help to filter dust and debris from the air a dog breathes.
As a dog inhales, air passes through the trachea, down into the bronchi, and into the lungs, where oxygen is absorbed into the bloodstream.
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The trachea's rigid cartilaginous rings help to keep it open, allowing for smooth airflow in and out of the lungs.
These rings are made of hyaline cartilage, a flexible yet strong material that provides the necessary support for the trachea to function properly.
In a healthy dog, the trachea is a self-cleaning tube, with mucus and debris being constantly cleared out by the cilia and coughing action.
Larynx Anatomy
Your dog's larynx, also known as the voice box, sits atop the trachea.
It's the source of all your dog's barking, growling, whining, and other vocalizations. The larynx consists of cartilage, muscles, and ligaments.
It's kept in place by the hyoid apparatus, which also supports your dog's tongue and pharynx.
The larynx is bordered on the sides and front by the thyroid gland, shaped like a shield.
MeSH Terms
The MeSH terms for canine throat anatomy are quite interesting. Animals are included in these terms, which shouldn't come as a surprise given the topic.
Biometry is also relevant, which refers to the application of statistical methods to the study of biological systems. This is useful when studying the anatomy of the canine throat.
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Dogs are a key part of this study, and their anatomy and histology are specifically mentioned.
Female and male animals are both included in the MeSH terms, highlighting the importance of understanding both genders in canine anatomy.
Humans are also mentioned, which might seem unrelated at first, but could be due to the fact that human anatomy is often used as a reference point for comparative studies.
Larynx anatomy and histology are specifically mentioned, which is relevant to the study of the canine throat.
Sheep are also included in the MeSH terms, likely due to their use as a model animal in scientific studies.
Here are the MeSH terms listed out for reference:
- Animals
- Biometry
- Dogs / anatomy & histology*
- Female
- Humans
- Larynx / anatomy & histology*
- Male
- Models, Animal*
- Sheep / anatomy & histology*
Other Relevant Information
The laryngeal prominence in a dog's neck is actually the voice box, also known as the larynx. It's located at the top of the trachea and plays a crucial role in protecting the airway.
The epiglottis is a flap of tissue that separates the trachea from the esophagus, preventing food from entering the airway. It's a vital component of the canine throat anatomy.

The laryngeal prominence contains the vocal cords, which vibrate to produce sound when a dog barks or whines. This is why changes in vocal cord function can affect a dog's ability to make certain sounds.
The canine throat is divided into three main sections: the pharynx, the larynx, and the trachea. Each section has a specific function and plays a crucial role in a dog's overall health.
The trachea is a tube that connects the larynx to the lungs, allowing air to pass through for breathing. It's supported by cartilage rings that help maintain its shape and keep it open.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is laryngeal inflammation in dogs?
Laryngeal inflammation in dogs is caused by irritation or trauma to the larynx, often resulting from excessive barking, foreign objects, or medical procedures. This condition can be a serious issue that requires prompt veterinary attention.
What should a dog's throat look like?
A dog's throat should have a visible epiglottis and cuneiform processes connected to the arytenoid cartilage, which is a single cartilage structure. Understanding the anatomy of a dog's throat can help identify potential health issues.
What is a collapsed larynx in dog?
A collapsed larynx in dogs is a condition where the cartilage in the larynx weakens and deforms due to increased airway pressure. This is often a secondary effect of a underlying condition called BOAS, which affects the upper airway.
Sources
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