Zombie Rabbits

thingiverse

This text describes the anatomy and physiology of a rabbit's ears, eyes, thermoregulation system, and respiratory system. **Ear Anatomy** * The outer ear is composed of an external auditory canal that leads to the eardrum or tympanic membrane. * The middle ear contains three bones called ossicles (hammer, anvil, and stirrup) that act as a barrier to the inner ear for sound energy. * The inner ear has two parts: the cochlea that utilizes sound waves from the ossicles, and the vestibular apparatus that manages the rabbit's position in regards to movement. **Thermoregulation** * Thermoregulation is the process of maintaining an optimal body temperature independent of external conditions. * Rabbits use their large, highly vascularized ears to change blood flow to control core body temperature. * When ambient temperature exceeds or drops below optimal body temperature, the rabbit must return to homeostasis by constriction and dilation of blood vessels in the ears. **Respiratory System** * The nasal cavity is separated into a left and right side by a cartilage barrier, covered in fine hairs that trap dust before it can enter the respiratory tract. * Air flows in through the nostrils along the alar folds, then moves into the nasal cavity, down through the trachea, through the larynx, and into the lungs. * The larynx functions as the rabbit's voice box, enabling it to produce a wide variety of sounds.