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[[Image:718099 - external_nares_ed_copy.jpg|200px|thumb|right|'''External nares''' © RVC]]

[[Image:718099 - external_nares_ed_copy.jpg|200px|thumb|right|'''External nares''' © RVC]]

The respiratory tract of snakes consists of external nares, nasal cavity, internal nares, glottis, trachea, bronchi, lung(s) and air sac. There is no diaphragm.  The external nares communicate with the internal nares through the nasal cavity.  The internal nares lie in the roof of the oral cavity and communicate directly with the glottis when the mouth is closed. The glottis lies posterior to the tongue and is not difficult to visualise, making intubation for [[Lizard and Snake Anaesthesia|anaesthesia]] relatively easy.  During the feeding process, the glottis is able to move laterally to facilitate respiration while ingesting large prey items, a process which may take considerable time.

The respiratory tract of snakes consists of external nares, nasal cavity, internal nares, glottis, trachea, bronchi, lung(s) and air sac. There is no diaphragm.  The external nares communicate with the internal nares through the nasal cavity.  The internal nares lie in the roof of the oral cavity and communicate directly with the glottis when the mouth is closed. The glottis lies posterior to the tongue and is not difficult to visualise, making intubation for [[Lizard and Snake Anaesthesia|anaesthesia]] relatively easy.  During the feeding process, the glottis is able to move laterally to facilitate respiration while ingesting large prey items, a process which may take considerable time.