Sense (Touch, Taste, Smell, Hear, Sight)

Sense of Touch

Mechanoreceptors in the skin and viscera detect varying degrees of pressure. Free nerve endings have pain receptors and thermoreceptors. Pain is caused by chemicals released inflamed tissues and cell damage.

Fast Pain

“First”, myelinated, stabbing/sharp pain. Sense of Touch.

Slow Pain

“Second” , unmyelinated, dull, throbbing pain (longer lasting)

Referred Pain

Inside the body’s organs, pain is often felt in another area. Similar pathways so the brain can’t distinguish origin. EX: In men, pain from the heart is felt in the left shoulder and arm.

CIPA

Congenital insensitivity to pain and anhydrosis. Feel no pain, inability to sweat.

Sense of Taste

Gustation . Chemical senses (chemoreceptors), taste buds containing chemoreceptors are found in the epithelium of the tongue, inside of cheeks. Soft palate, pharynx and epiglottis. Contains papillae.

Papille

Bumps on the tongue contain many receptors.

Receptors in taste:

Sweet,sour, salt, bitter, umami. Spiciness = combo of pain and temperature.

Sense of Smell

Chemical sense (chemoreceptors), “olfaction”, within the nasal cavity, chemoreceptors in the olfactory bulb are stimulated by odor molecules.

Olfactory Bulb in sense of smell

Roof of nasal cavity, poorly ventilated are, needs to forcible sniff to get air to bulb. Help link smells with memory b/c linked to limbic system of brain.

Outer Ear Includes:

Pinna (external ear) and Auditory Canal (3 cm in adults, supported by temporal bone, ear wax formation)

Middle Ear Includes:

Eardrum (tympanic membrane)