Chapter 17 Special Senses

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary related to special senses from Chapter 17 of Human Anatomy.

Free Nerve Endings

Widespread unencapsulated sensory receptors that detect pain, heat, and cold.

Tactile Corpuscles

Encapsulated receptors located in the dermal papillae that sense light touch and texture.

Bulbous Corpuscles

Receptors that sense pressure, skin stretch, and joint movement, located in the dermis.

Lamellar Corpuscles

Onion-like structures that detect deep pressure, stretch, tickle, and vibration.

Taste Buds

Sensory structures found on the tongue responsible for the sense of taste.

Olfactory Mucosa

Tissue located in the roof of the nasal cavity that contains olfactory neurons for smell.

Auricle

The external part of the ear, also known as the pinna, which collects sound waves.

Tympanic Membrane

Commonly known as the eardrum, a membrane that vibrates in response to sound waves.

Endolymph

Fluid located within the membranous labyrinth of the inner ear, essential for balance.

Sclera

The white, fibrous outer layer of the eyeball that provides protection and structure.

Retina

The innermost layer of the eye containing photoreceptors that detect light.

Rods

Photoreceptor cells in the retina responsible for night vision and detecting low light.

Cones

Photoreceptor cells in the retina responsible for color vision and detail in bright light.

Aqueous Humor

The clear fluid in the anterior chamber of the eye that helps maintain intraocular pressure.

Vivisector of the semisphere apparatus

Receptors located in the vestibule and semicircular canals that help maintain balance.