Lecture Notes Flashcards

Flashcards generated from lecture notes on somatosensation, special senses, taste (gustation), and the auditory system.

Somatosensation

Includes touch, proprioception, and pain.

Special Senses

Includes vision, taste, smell, hearing, and balance.

Specialized Receptor Cell

A cell that responds to a specific stimulus and has embedded receptors.

Receptors

Proteins embedded in the membrane of receptor cells that are activated by specific stimuli (e.g., photons of light, chemicals).

Papillae

Bumps on the tongue containing taste buds.

Vallate Papillae

Large, dome-shaped papillae with many taste buds.

Fungiform Papillae

Mushroom-shaped papillae with taste buds.

Filiform Papillae

Papillae that do NOT contain taste buds, but contribute to texture and temperature sensation.

Taste Buds

Structures located on papillae, containing gustatory cells.

Gustatory Cells

Specialized receptor cells for taste found within taste buds.

Chemoreceptors

Receptors on gustatory cells that are activated by specific chemicals (tastants).

Sweet Taste

Sensation caused by simple sugars (e.g., glucose, fructose) binding to sweet chemoreceptors.

Sour Taste

Sensation caused by hydrogen ions (acids) binding to sour chemoreceptors.

Salty Taste

Sensation caused by sodium ions binding to salty chemoreceptors.

Bitter Taste

Sensation caused by nitrogen-containing compounds binding to bitter chemoreceptors.

Umami Taste

Sensation caused by amino acids (e.g., glutamate) binding to umami chemoreceptors; savory/meaty taste.

Voltage-Gated Calcium Channels

Ion channels that open in response to depolarization, leading to calcium influx and neurotransmitter release.

Facial Nerve (VII)

Cranial nerve that carries taste information from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue.

Glossopharyngeal Nerve (IX)

Cranial nerve that carries taste information from the posterior one-third of the tongue.

Vagus Nerve (X)

Cranial nerve that carries taste information from taste buds in the oral cavity (other than the tongue).

Solitary Nucleus

The first stop in the brain stem for taste information, located in the medulla.

Thalamus

Relay station in the brain that transmits sensory information to the cortex.

Primary Gustatory Cortex

Area of the cortex in the parietal lobe that processes taste information.

External (Outer) Ear

Structures of the ear before the eardrum.

Middle Ear

Area from eardrum to the cochlea.

Inner Ear

Cochlea.

Tympanic Membrane

The eardrum, vibrates in response to air pressure waves (sound).

Ossicles

Three small bones in the middle ear (malleus, incus, stapes) that amplify and convert sound waves.

Malleus

Ossicle connected to the tympanic membrane.

Incus

Ossicle that receives vibrations from the malleus.

Stapes

Ossicle connected to the oval window of the cochlea.

Cochlea

Spiral-shaped structure in the inner ear containing fluid-filled chambers.

Cochlear Duct

The middle chamber of the cochlea, contains the organ of Corti.

Basilar Membrane

The floor of the cochlear duct.

Organ of Corti

Structure located on the basilar membrane that contains hair cells.

Hair Cells

Specialized receptor cells for the auditory system.

Mechanoreceptors

Receptors on hair cells that are mechanically opened by pressure.

Tectorial Membrane

Stiff structure that sits above the hair cells in the organ of Corti.

Stereocilia

Hairs on the hair cells that bend when the basilar membrane vibrates.

Vestibulocochlear Nerve (VIII)

Cranial nerve that carries auditory information from the cochlea to the brain stem.

Cochlear Nuclei

First stop in the brainstem for auditory information, located in the medulla.

Superior Olivary Nucleus

Brainstem structure in the pons that helps with sound localization.

Primary Auditory Cortex

The part of the temporal lobe that processes auditory information.