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Special Senses Flashcards

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1
Q

What are the special senses?

A

Olfaction (smell)

Gustation (taste)

Vision

Auditory and equilibrium

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2
Q

Why are olfaction and gustation classified as visceral senses?

A

Due to their close association with gastrointestinal function

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3
Q

Where are olfactory sensory neurons located?

A

In the olfactory epithelium

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4
Q

What makes up olfactory epithelium?

A

Olfactory receptors

Supporting cells

Basal cells

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5
Q

What are odorants?

A

Chemicals that have an odor that bind to and stimulate the olfactory receptors in the olfactory cilia

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6
Q

Describe the supporting cells of olfactory epithelium

A

Columnar epithelial cells of the mucous membrane lining the nose

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7
Q

What are the functions of supporting cells?

A

Physical support

Nourishment

Electrical insulation for the olfactory receptor cells

Help detoxify chemicals that come in contact with the olfactory epithelium

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8
Q

What are basal cells?

A

These are stem cells that located between the bases of supporting cells.

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9
Q

What is the purpose of basal cells?

A

Undergo cell division to produce new olfactory receptors cells

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10
Q

How does an olfactory receptor cell react to odorant molecules?

A

A generator potential (depolarization) develops and triggers one or more nerve impulses.

This is called olfactory transduction

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11
Q

_________________ sensations are the only sensations that reach the cerebral cortex without first synapsing in the thalamus

A

Olfactory

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12
Q

How are olfactory receptors cells adapted for their olfactory transduction?

A

Several Nonmotile olfactory cilia are sites of olfactory transduction

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13
Q

What are olfactory receptor cells?

A

The first order neurons of the olfactory pathway

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14
Q

How can we recognize around 10,000 different orders?

A

Patterns of activity in the brain from the activation of many different combinations of olfactory receptors cells

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15
Q

How much do olfactory receptors adapt in the first second of stimulation?

A

50%

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16
Q

On each side of the nose _________ bundles of the slender, unmyelinated axons of olfactory receptor cells extend through about ______ ______ ________ in the cribiform plate of the ethmoid bone

These ________ or so bundles of axons form the right and left olfactory (I) nerves

A

40

20 olfactory foramina

40

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17
Q

What are the five primary tastes ?

A

Sweet, sour, bitter, salty and umami

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18
Q

What 3 types of epithelial cells that make up each taste bud?

A

Gustatory cells

Supporting cells

Basal cells

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19
Q

Aside from the tongue, where can taste buds be found?

A

The soft palate, pharynx and epiglottis

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20
Q

Purpose of basal cells in the mouth

A

Stem cells that produce supporting cells which then develop into gustatory receptor cells

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21
Q

Where are taste buds found?

A

On elevations of the tongue called papillae

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22
Q

What are tastants?

A

Chemicals that stimulate gustatory receptor cells

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23
Q

Where is the site of taste transduction?

A

Plasma membranes of the gustatory microvilli

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24
Q

How long does adaptation to a specific taste occur?

A

1-5 minutes of continuous stimulation, varying for primary taste

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25
What is electromagnetic radiation ?
Energy in the form of waves that radiates from the sun.
26
What is the name of of the range of electromagnetic radiation?
Electromagnetic spectrum
27
Give the range of wavelength of visible light
400nm - 700nm
28
What is the function of the eyelids/palpebrae?
Protect the eyes from excessive light, foreign objects and spread lubricating secretions
29
What are the functions of the eyelashes and eyebrows?
Help protect the eyeballs from foreign objects, perspiration and the direct rays of the sun
30
What are the lacrimal apparatus and it’s function?
Group of structures that produces and drains lacrimal fluid/tears via lacrimation
31
After tears pass over the anterior surface of the eyeball, where does it go?
Enters two small openings called lacrimal puncta
32
What are the accessory structures of the eye?
``` Lacrima apparatus Extrinsic eye muscles Eyebrows Eyelashes Eyelids ```
33
What is the conjunctiva composed of?
Non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium with goblet cells, supported by areolar connective tissue
34
After tears pass into the lacrimal puncta , which 2 ducts does it pass into?
The superior and inferior lacrimal canaculi
35
Where does the lacrimal canaculi lead to?
Into the lacrimal sac within the lacrimal fossa.
36
What happens after lacrimal fluid enters the lacrimal sac?
Flows through the nasolacrimal duct which carries the lacrimal fluid to the nasal cavity inferior to the nasal concha, where it mixes with mucous
37
What fibers supply the lacrimal glands?
Parasympathetic fibers of the facial (VII) nerves
38
What purpose does lacrimal fluid serve for the eye?
Protects, cleans, lubricates and moistens the eyeball
39
What nerves supply the extrinsic eye muscles?
Oculomotor(III), trochlear(IV) and abducens(VI)
40
What are the 3 layers of the eyeball?
Fibrous tunic, Vascular tunic and retina (inner tunic)
41
What does the cornea consist of?
1. Nonkeratinized stratified squamous epithelium 2. The middle coat of the cornea- collagen fibers and fibroblasts The inner surface- simple squamous epithelium
42
What are the 3 types of papillae?
Circumvillate papillae, fungiform papillae and foliate papillae
43
Describe the circumvillate papillae and their location
They form an inverted V-shaped row at the back of the tongue
44
Describe the shape and location of the fungiform papillae?
Mushroom-shaped elevations scattered over the entire surface of the tongue
45
Describe the folliate papillae and where they are located
In small trenches on the lateral margins of the tongue, but most degenerate in early childhood
46
What makes filiform papillae unique and what is its function?
They contain tactile receptors but no taste buds, to increase friction between the tongue to move food in the oral cavity
47
Name the 6 extrinsic eye muscles
Superior oblique, inferior oblique, lateral rectus, medial rectus, inferior rectus and superior rectus
48
What is the fibrous tunic consist of?
The anterior cornea and posterior sclera
49
What does the sclera consist of?
Layer of dense connective tissue of collagen fibers and fibroblasts
50
What is the vascular tunic comprised of?
Choroid, ciliary body and iris
51
Why does the choroid seem dark brown?
Contains melanocytes that produce the pigment melanin
52
What does the ciliary body consist of?
Ciliary processes and ciliary muscle
53
How does the structure of ciliary processes assist in its function?
Contain blood capillaries that secrete aqueous humor. Zonular fibers or suspensory ligaments attach to lens
54
What is the iris, what does it consist of?
The coloured portion of the eyeball, consists of melanocytes and circular and radial smooth muscle fibers
55
Explain how the pupil constricts and dilates
Circular muscles of iris contract(parasynthetic) to constrict pupil while pupil dilates due to contraction of radial muscles (sympathetic)
56
What is the beginning of the visual pathway?
The retina
57
What are the 2 layers of the retina?
Pigmented layer and neural layer
58
What are the distinct layers of retinal layers.
The photoreceptors layer, bipolar cell layer and ganglion layer
59
What are the 2 zones of the ganglion layer?
The outer and inner synaptic layers
60
Name two of the cells located in the bipolar cell layer
Horizontal cells and amacrine cells
61
Name 2 types of photoreceptors cells
Rods and cones
62
What 3 processes are important for image formation?
1. Refraction of light by the lens and cornea 2. Accommodation of change in shape of the lens 3. Construction of the pupil
63
What is the purpose of rods in the photoreceptor layer of the neural layer of the retina
Does it provide color vision, allows us to see in dim light( in dim light we can only see white, Black and gray)
64
What are the purpose of cones in the photoreceptor layer of the neural layer of the retina?
Brighter lights stimulate cones, producing color vision
65
Where is the macula lutes?
The center of the posterior portion of the retina, at the visual axis of the eye
66
What is the fovea centralis?
A small depression in the center of macula lutea, containing only cones
67
What is age-related macular disease/macular degeneration?
A degenerative disorders of the retina in persons 50 years and older
68
Give a symptom of advanced macular degeneration
Victims retain peripheral vision but lose the ability to see straight ahead
69
What is the purpose of the lens?
Help focus images on the retina to help facilitate clear vision
70
The lens divides the eye into 2 cavities, name them
The anterior cavity and vitreous chamber
71
Give the optic pathway
Optic (II) nerve-> optic chiasm-> optic tract-> lateral geniculate nucleus of thalamus -> optic radiation -> primary visual area of cerebral cortex (area 17) in occipital lobe
72
Give 2 functions of ears
Hearing and balance
73
What is the tearing of the tympanic membrane/ ear drum called?
Perforated eardrum
74
What does the external ear consist of?
Auricle, external auditory canal and tympanic membrane
75
Why is the internal ear called the labyrint?
Because of its series of canals
76
What are the 2 main divisions of the inner ear?
1. Outer bony labyrinth | 2. Inner membraneous labyrinth canals
77
What are the 3 areas of the bony labyrinth?
1. Semicircular canals 2. Vestibule 3. Cochlea
78
What is hyperacusia?
Abnormally sensitive hearing due to paralysis of the stapedius muscle
79
What is the entire audible range?
20- 20,000Hz
80
Name the 2 types of equilibrium
Static equilibrium Dynamic equilibrium
81
What is static equilibrium?
Maintenance of the position of the body, relative to the force of gravity
82
Define dynamic equilibrium
Maintenance of the body position(mainly head) in response to sudden movements like rotational acceleration or deceleration
83
Explain the mechanism by which static equilibrium operates
Position of the head relative to gravity causes otoliths in the utricle and succulent to move. This movement stimulates hair cells and sends a nerve impulse
84
Explain the mechanism by which dynamic equilibrium occurs?
Movement causes rotation of the endolymph inside semicircular canals and causes the cupola to move within the ampulla Movement of the cupula stimulates hair cells and causes a nerve impulse.
85
What is the site of olfactory transduction?
Olfactory cilia on the dendrittes of olfactory receptors cells
86
Where do olfactory nerves terminate?
In the olfactory bulbs
87
From the olfactory tract, where do axons project to?
Primary olfactory area
88
Where might olfactory axons project Toni the frontal lobe, important for odor identification and discrimination?
Orbitofrontal area
89
What is the purpose of the eyelids/palpebrae?
Protect eyes from excessive light + foreign objects Spread lubricating secretions over the eyeballs
90
What is the cornea made up of?
1. Non keratinized stratified squamous epithelium 2. Collagen fibers and fibroblasts 3. Simple squamous epithelium
91
What color does the eye appear when melanin concentration is moderate in the iris?
Green
92
What color does the eye appear when melanin concentration is high?
Brown to black
93
What color appears when the melanin concentration is low in the iris?
Blue
94
Give the flow of light through the eye
Cornea -> the pupil -> the lens -> the vitreous chamber-> the retina(optic nerve carries signals back to the visual cortex of the brain)
95
Summarize the physiology of hearing
Sound waves travel into the external auditory which causes vibrations in the tympanic membrane, this causes the maleus, in us and stapes in the oval window to vibrate. The perilymph in the cochlea also vibrates which prompt a traveling wave along the basil lark membrane and prompt hair cells to send a nerve impulse to the cochlea branch of the vestibule-cochlea nerve

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