Unique Features of the Horse's Pharynx and Guttural Pouches The horse’s pharynx is longer and narrower compared to other species, with a narrow esophageal opening. It is closely associated with guttural pouches—large mucus sacs located above the pharynx on either side of the midline, unique to equines. These pouches are lined with ciliated epithelium, have a capacity of 300 CCs, and can be linked to certain diseases when filled abnormally. Above them lies the brain and frontal sinus; below are structures like nasopharynx, oropharynx, cornuate cartilage, and esophagus.
Species-Specific Differences in Pharynges Across Animals In dogs’ pharynges there isn’t much variation except for small breed-dependent differences in esophageal openings. In pigs it extends up to their second cervical vertebrae while rabbits exhibit elongated narrow shapes alongside extensive oropharanges areas instead poultry lacks soft palates altogether yet features median infundibular slits serving dual auditory tube outlets making each animal distinctively adapted anatomically