Blowhole (anatomy)

The single blowhole of a bottlenose dolphin just before going under again

In cetology, a blowhole is the hole at the top of a cetacean's head through which the animal breathes air. It is homologous with the nostril of other mammals, and evolved via gradual movement of the nostrils to the top of the head.[1] As whales reach the water surface to breathe, they forcefully expel air through the blowhole. The exhalation is released into the comparably lower-pressure, colder atmosphere, and any water vapor condenses. This spray, known as the blow, is often visible from far away as a white splash, which can also be caused by water resting on top of the blowhole.

Air sacs just below the blowhole allow whales to produce sounds for communication and (for those species capable of it) echolocation. These air sacs are filled with air, which is then released again to produce sound in a similar fashion to releasing air from a balloon. When whales dive under water their nasal plug covers the nasal passage to the blowhole. The muscles controlling the nasal plug are relaxed during this time, but when the whale comes up for air these muscles contract and allow for the blowhole to be opened and the process of exhalation and inhalation to occur.[2]

The V-shaped double blowhole of a gray whale.

Baleen whales have two blowholes positioned in a V-shape while toothed whales have only one blowhole. The blowhole of a sperm whale, a toothed whale, is located left of centre in the frontal area of the snout, and is actually its left nostril, while the right nostril lacks an opening to the surface although its nasal passage is otherwise well developed.

The trachea only connects to the blowhole, and the animal cannot breathe through its mouth. Because of this, there is no risk of food accidentally ending up in the animal's lungs, so whales have no pharyngeal reflex.

References

  1. ↑ https://pandasthumb.org/archives/2008/03/whale-evolution.html
  2. ↑ Rommel, S.A (2006). "Elements of beaked whale anatomy and diving physiology and some hypothetical causes of sonar-related stranding". J. Cetacean Res. Manage. 7: 189–209.


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