Chapter 17: The Special Senses Flashcards
(160 cards)
Olfactory Epithelium
Occupies the superior part of the nasal cavity, covering the inferior surface of the cribriform plate and extending along the superior nasal concha.
Consists of 3 kinds of cells: olfactory receptor cells, supporting cells, basal cells.
Olfactory Receptor Cells
First order neurons of the olfactory pathway. Each cell is a bipolar neuron with an exposed, knob shaped dendrite and axon projecting through the crib form plate that ends in the olfactory bulb.
Olfactory Cilia
Sites of olfactory transduction.
Olfactory Receptor
Found within olfactory cilia plasma membrane.
Proteins that detect inhaled chemicals.
Odorants
Chemical that bind to and stimulate the olfactory receptors in the olfactory cilia.
Supporting cells
Columnar epithelial cells of the mucous membrane lining the nose.
Provide physical support, nourishment and electrical insulation for the olfactory receptor cells. Helps detoxify chemicals that come in contact with the olfactory epithelium.
Olfactory Glands
Or bowman’s glands
Found within the connective tissue that supports the olfactory epithelium. Produces mucus that is carried to the surface of the epithelium ducts.
Olfactory Transduction
Olfactory Nerve (I) innervate olfactory receptors cells responsible for transduction.
Binding of an odorant molecule to an olfactory receptors proteins activates the G proteins and ardently Cyclades, resulting in production of cAMP.
CMAP opens cation channels Na+ and Ca2+ ions entering the olfacotry receptors.
Results in depolarization to generate an action potentials.
Olfaction
Special sense : smell
Low threshold, only a few molecules needed to smell an odor.
Adaptation
Decreasing sensitivity
Happens rapidly with olfaction.
Gestation
Taste, chemical sense.
Simpler than olfaction.
Has 5 primary tastes: salty (sodium), sour (hydrogen), sweet (sugars) bitter (guinine, caffeine, morphine), umami (meaty or savory).
Taste Bud
Oval body consisting of 3 kinds of epithelial cels
1. Supporting cells (surrounds 50 % of gustatory cells)
2. Gustatory cells
3. Basal cells (stem cells found at periphery of taste bud)
Gustatory Microvilli
Project from each gustatory receptor cell to the external surface through taste pore.
Taste Pore
Opening in the taste bud.
Papillae
Elevations on the tongue where taste buds are found. Increase surface areas and provides the ruff texture on surface of tongue.
3 Types of Taste Buds
- Vallate Papillae: 12 large, circular or form inverted V shaped row at back of tongue. House 100-300 taste buds.
- Fungiform Papillae: mushroom shaped elevations scattered over entree surface of tongue. Contain 5 tastes buds each.
- Foliate Papillae: located in small trenches on the lateral margins of tongue. Most taste buds degenerate in early childhood.
Filiform Papillae
Found on entire surface of the tongue. Pointed, threadlike structures contain tactile receptors but no taste buds.
Increases friction between tongue and food, making it easy to move food in oral cavity.
Tastants
Must dissolve in salvia before making contact with gustatory cells.
Chemicals that stimulate gustatory receptor cells.
The receptor potential arises differently for different tastants.
Na+ in salty foods causes depolarization, increases neurotransmitter when entering gustatory receptor cells.
Other tastants responsible for sweet, bitter, umami do not enter gustatory cells.
Taste Threshold and Adaption
Threshold for taste varies for each primary tastes.
Threshold for bitter substances, (guanine) is the lowest.
Complete adaptation to taste occurs in 1-5 mins of continuous stimulation.
Accessory Structures of the Eye
Includes: eye lids, eyelashes, eyebrows, lacrimal apparatus, extrinsic eye muscles.
Eye Lids
Or palpebrae
Shade the eyes during sleep
protect eyes from excessive light and foreign objects
Spread lubricating secretions over the eyeballs.
Levator Palpebrae Superioris Muscle
Superior region of eyelid and is more moveable than the lower.
This muscles will twitch and is harmless.
Palpebral Fissure
Space between the upper and lower eyelids that exposes the eye ball.
Lateral Commissure
Angles of the eye lids. Narrower and closer to temporal bone.