Special Senses Study Guide (copy)

Fungiform Papillae

Mushroom-shaped papillae, scattered across the tongue, containing taste buds.

Filiform Papillae

Thin, conical papillae located all over the tongue, providing texture without taste buds.

Circumvallate Papillae

Large, dome-shaped papillae arranged in a V-shape at the back of the tongue, containing taste buds.

Fibrous Layer of the Eye

Outer layer consisting of the sclera and cornea.

Vascular Layer (Uvea)

Middle layer of the eye including the choroid, ciliary body, and iris.

Neural Layer of the Eye

Inner layer of the eye consisting of the retina with photoreceptors.

Ganglion Cell Layer

Layer of the retina containing neurons whose axons form the optic nerve.

Bipolar Cell Layer

Layer of the retina transmitting signals from photoreceptors to ganglion cells.

Photoreceptor Layer

Layer of the retina containing rods for low-light vision and cones for color vision.

Pacinian Corpuscles

Mechanoreceptors in the skin that detect deep pressure.

Meissner’s Corpuscles

Mechanoreceptors in the skin that detect light touch.

Taste Buds

Structures on the tongue within papillae that detect taste.

Olfactory Epithelium

Nasal cavity structure containing receptors for smell.

Organ of Corti

Structure in the cochlea containing hair cells that detect sound vibrations.

Rods

Photoreceptors in the retina responsible for low-light vision.

Cones

Photoreceptors in the retina responsible for color vision.

Semicircular Canals

Inner ear structures that detect rotational movement and balance.

Lacrimal Gland

Gland that produces tears.

Lacrimal Sac

Collects tears from the lacrimal canal.

Palpebrae (Eyelids)

Structures that protect and lubricate the eyes.

Cornea

Transparent front part of the eye that helps focus light.

Iris

Colored part of the eye that controls the size of the pupil.

Optic Nerve

Nerve that carries visual information from the retina to the brain.

Acqueous Humor

Fluid in the anterior segment of the eye that nourishes the cornea and lens.

Vitreous Humor

Gel-like substance in the posterior segment of the eye that helps maintain eye shape.

Pinna (Auricle)

External ear structure that collects sound.

Tympanic Membrane (Eardrum)

Vibrates in response to sound waves.

Ossicles

Middle ear bones (Malleus, Incus, Stapes) that amplify sound vibrations.

Cochlea

Inner ear structure that contains the Organ of Corti for detecting sound.

Vestibule

Saccule and Utricle: Part of the inner ear that detects gravity and linear acceleration.

Auditory Tube (Eustachian Tube)

Tube that equalizes pressure in the middle ear.

Fovea Centralis

Area of the retina responsible for sharpest vision.

Blind Spot (Optic Disc)

Region of the retina where the optic nerve exits, lacking photoreceptors.

Scala Vestibuli

Part of the cochlea that transmits sound vibrations to the cochlear duct.

Scala Tympani

Part of the cochlea that transmits vibrations to the round window.

Cochlear Duct (Scala Media)

Contains the Organ of Corti, essential for hearing.

Vestibulocochlear Nerve

Nerve that transmits hearing and balance information to the brain.

Stratified Squamous Epithelium

Layer of the tongue that provides protection.

Olfactory Bulb

Part of the brain that processes smell information.

Optic Disc

Area in the retina with no photoreceptors where the optic nerve exits.

Types of Papillae

fungiform, filiform, and circumvallate,

Internal Structures of the Ear

cochlea, semicircular canals, and auditory tube.

Functions of the Skin

Protects, regulates temperature, and contains sensory receptors.

Functions of the Eye

Detects light and processes visual information.

Functions of the Ear

Detects sound and maintains balance.

Sclera

The white outer layer of the eyeball providing protection and shape.

Ciliary Body

Structure in the eye that controls the shape of the lens and produces aqueous humor.

Choroid

The vascular layer of the eye that contains blood vessels providing nutrients to the retina.

Pupil

The opening in the iris that regulates the amount of light entering the eye.

Lens

Transparent structure behind the pupil that focuses light on the retina.

Retina

Layer at the back of the eye that contains photoreceptors for detecting light.

Aqueous Humor

Clear fluid in the front part of the eye, important for maintaining intraocular pressure.

Vitreous Body

Gel-like substance filling the space between the lens and retina.

Tympanic Cavity

Air-filled space in the middle ear that houses the ossicles.

Eustachian Tube

Equalizes air pressure in the middle ear with atmospheric pressure.

Auditory Cortex

Part of the brain responsible for processing auditory information.

Olfactory Receptors

Specialized receptors in the nasal cavity that detect odors.

Labyrinth

Complex structure in the inner ear that includes the cochlea and vestibular apparatus.

Otitis Media

Infection or inflammation of the middle ear.

Sound Waves

Vibrations that travel through the air and are detected by the ear.

Equilibrium

The state of being balanced, maintained by the inner ear structures.

Sensation

The process by which sensory receptors detect information from the environment.

Perception

The interpretation of sensory information by the brain.

Mechanoreceptors

Sensory receptors that respond to mechanical pressure or distortion.

Thermoreceptors

Sensory receptors that detect changes in temperature.

Photoreceptors

Cells in the retina that respond to light and are responsible for vision.

Sound Localization

Ability to determine the location of a sound source.

Vestibular System

Part of the inner ear that helps regulate balance and spatial orientation.

Olfactory Pathway

The route that olfactory signals take from receptors to the brain.

Taste Sensations

Basic taste modalities including sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami.

Acoustic Reflex

Invol

Nasolacrimal duct

Drains tears into the nasal cavity.

Lacrimal caruncle

Small, pink structure at the inner corner of the eye.

Conjunctiva

Transparent mucous membrane covering the sclera

Anterior Segment

Filled with aqueous humor, nourishes the cornea and lens.

Posterior Segment

Filled with vitreous humor, helps maintain eye shape.

External acoustic meatus

Transmits sound to the tympanic membrane.

Semicircular Canals

Detect rotational movement and balance

Functions of the Tongue

Facilitates taste and aids in digestion and speech

Functions of the Nasal Cavity

Warms, moistens air, and detects odors via the olfactory epithelium

Oval and Round Window

Transmit sound vibrations into the inner ear.