Representative sections of the trachea and lung should always be submitted. In reptiles and Amphibians the lung is a hollow sac with a honeycomb appearance on the inner surface. The anterior portion has a thick wall and has respiratory function. The posterior portion is thin-walled and resembles an avian air sac. The anterior portion is generally more useful for diagnostic purposes, but submission of both regions is recommended.
Some snakes have only one well-developed right lung, and one rudimentary left lung or no left lung.
Musculo-skeletal system Examination of this system is very important, as it provides useful information regarding current and past nutritional status. There are also a number of traumatic and infectious conditions that affect the musculo-skeletal system. When whole carcasses are submitted, the musculo-skeletal system is covered. For carcasses to large to submit whole, an effort should be made to submit the head, a segment of vertebral column and at least one long bone with articular surface, such as the femur, tibia, humerus or radius. Nervous system Disease of the nervous system are occasionally seen in reptiles and amphibians, and are usually manifestations of other visceral disorders such as gout, neoplasia, intoxication or infectious disease.