Auditory and Sensory Processing

Flashcards covering key terms and concepts regarding auditory and sensory processing.

Audition

Our sense of sound.

Pressurized sound wave

A stimuli created when air molecules compress, causing areas of high and low pressure known as sound waves.

Cochlea

A round structure lined with hair cells that plays a crucial role in hearing.

Wavelength

The distance between peaks of a sound wave; smaller wavelengths correspond to greater frequencies.

Ossicles

The three smallest bones in the body: malleus (hammer), incus (anvil), and stapes (stirrup) that vibrate in response to sound.

Place theory

A theory stating that our perception of sound pitch depends on where each component frequency produces vibrations along the basilar membrane.

Basilar tuning

The mechanism by which the brain distinguishes between different frequencies using varying hair cells in the cochlea.

Cochlear implants

A surgical procedure that attempts to restore some degree of hearing to individuals with sensorineural hearing loss.

Sensory adaptation

The change over time of a receptor to a constant stimulus, which can lead to down regulation of the sensory receptor.

Amplification

The process of up regulation, where non-painful input enhances the sensation of other stimuli.

Proprioception

The sense of balance and position in space, relying on receptors in muscles.

Kinaesthesia

The sense of movement of the body, often learned through behavioral adaptations.

Nociception

The ability to sense pain.

Thermoception

The ability to sense temperature.

Pheromones

Chemical signals released by one member of a species and sensed by another, triggering responses.

Olfaction

The sense of smell.

Taste (Gustation)

The sense of taste, involving receptors located on taste buds.

Tastant

A substance that stimulates the sense of taste.

Gustducin

A protein associated with the sensation of taste.

Glomerulus

A designation point for sensory olfactory cells sensitive to the same molecule.

Anosmia

Inability to perceive odor.

Pinna

The visible outer portion of the ear that acts as a funnel to collect and direct sound waves into the auditory canal.

Tympanic membrane

Commonly known as the eardrum, it is a thin membrane that vibrates in response to sound waves, transferring energy to the middle ear ossicles.

Oval window

The membrane-covered opening that leads from the middle ear to the vestibule of the inner ear, vibrated by the stapes to create fluid waves in the cochlea.

Organ of Corti

The sensitive element in the inner ear that contains hair cells; it sits on the basilar membrane and converts mechanical energy into electrical signals for the brain.

Basic Tastes

The five primary taste qualities detected by humans: sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami (savory).

Olfactory Epithelium

A specialized tissue located in the nasal cavity that contains the sensory receptors for the sense of smell.

TrypV1 receptor

A cellular receptor responsible for the sensation of heat and pain, also sensitive to the chemical capsaicin found in spicy peppers.

Semicircular canals

Three fluid-filled loops in the inner ear that detect rotational acceleration and help maintain dynamic balance.

A-delta fibers

Medium-sized, myelinated sensory nerve fibers that transmit sharp, fast pain signals to the brain.

C fibers

Small, unmyelinated sensory nerve fibers that transmit slow, dull, aching pain sensations.