A&P: Senses

Define general senses

receptors found throughout the body

Define special senses

specialized sensors found in head, eyes, ears, and mouth

Define sensation

feeling that occurs when a brain interprets a sensory nerve impulse

Define proprioreceptors

located near moving body parts and interprets position

Define exteroreceptors

located near external environments (skin)

Define chemoreceptor

detects chemicals found in mouth/nose

Define thermoreceptor

temperature

Define mechanoreceptor

detects pressure, vibration, and body position

Define chronic pain

dull, aching sensation

Define acute pain

originates from skin, usually stops when stimulus stops

Define referred pain

feels like pain is coming from another area

Define visceral pain

pain in visceral tissues (heart, lungs, intestines)

Define gustatory

taste

Define olfactory

smell

Define papillae

tastebuds

Define auricle

outer ear

Define auriculares muscles

muscles to move ear

Define external auditory meatus

auditory canal (opening to eardrum)

Define auditory ossicles

bones that transmit vibrations and amplify signals

Define eustachian tube

connects middle ear to nasal pharynx

Define tympanum

eardrum

Define pain receptors

senses signals when tissue is damaged

Define photoreceptors

convert light into signals that are sent to the brain

Define semicircular canals

sense of equillibrium

Define cochlea

translates sound waves from the outer ear into the form of pressure waves

Define organ of corti

contains hearing receptors

Define labyrinth

communicates chambers and tubes

8 steps of hearing

1. Sound waves enter external auditory canal
2. Eardrum vibrates
3. Auditory Ossicles amplify vibrations
4. Stapes hits oval window and transmits vibrations to cochlea
5. Organ of Corti contains hair cells that change w/ vibration
6. Impulses are sent to the vestibulochochlear nerve
7. Auditory Cortex of the temporal lobe interprets sensory impulses
8. Round Window dissipates vibrations w/in cochlea

Define static equillibrium

maintains balance and posture

Define dynamic equillibrium

balance during sudden movements

Define cerebellum

interprets impulses from semicircular canals and maintains balance