Vision and Hearing Anatomy and Physiology

These vocabulary flashcards cover key anatomical and physiological concepts related to vision and hearing, as discussed in the lecture notes.

Sclera

The outermost layer of the eye, providing structure and protection.

Cornea

The transparent front part of the eye that covers the iris, pupil, and anterior chamber, allowing light in.

Pupil

The adjustable opening in the center of the eye that controls the amount of light entering.

Lens

The transparent structure behind the pupil that helps focus light onto the retina.

Retina

The innermost layer of the eye containing photoreceptors (rods and cones) that detect light.

Fovea

The area of the retina with the highest concentration of cones, responsible for sharp central vision.

Macula

The part of the retina surrounding the fovea, essential for detailed vision.

Blind Spot (Optic Disc)

The part of the retina where there are no photoreceptors, leading to a lack of vision in this area.

Accommodation

The process of changing the shape of the lens to focus light on the retina.

Myopia

A condition also known as nearsightedness, where light is focused in front of the retina.

Hyperopia

A condition also known as farsightedness, where light is focused behind the retina.

Ciliary Muscles

Muscles that adjust the shape of the lens for focusing on near or distant objects.

Rods

Photoreceptors in the retina that are sensitive to low light levels and allow for vision in dim lighting.

Cones

Photoreceptors in the retina responsible for color vision and high spatial acuity in bright light.

Phototransduction

The process by which light is converted into electrical signals in the photoreceptors.

Retinal and Opsin

The two components that combine in photoreceptors to detect different wavelengths of light.

Cataracts

A condition characterized by clouding of the lens, often age-related, affecting vision clarity.

Dorsal and Ventral Pathways

Neural pathways in the brain: dorsal for locating objects in space, ventral for object recognition.

Inner Circular Muscle

The muscle that constricts the pupil under parasympathetic control to reduce light intake.

Outer Radial Muscle

The muscle that dilates the pupil under sympathetic control to increase light intake.

Basilar Membrane

A membrane in the cochlea that vibrates in response to sound waves, leading to the interpretation of pitch.

Hair Cells

Sensory cells in the cochlea that detect sound vibrations and convert them into neural signals.

Ampullary Cupula

A gel-like structure in the semicircular canals that detects rotational movement of the head.

Vestibular Apparatus

The system that contributes to balance and spatial orientation in the inner ear.

Static and Dynamic Equilibrium

Static equilibrium refers to the position of the head relative to gravity, while dynamic equilibrium pertains to head movement and balance.

Taste Buds

Sensory structures on the tongue that allow for the perception of taste (sweet, sour, salty, bitter, umami).

Olfactory Neurons

Sensory neurons responsible for the sense of smell, located in the olfactory epithelium.

Glomeruli

Clusters of olfactory sensory neurons in the olfactory bulb that process olfactory signals.