Special Senses Study Guide

What are the three types of papillae on the tongue?

Fungiform, Filiform, Circumvallate

What is the function of Fungiform Papillae?

Contain taste buds, located around the tongue.

What distinguishes Filiform Papillae from other types?

They do not contain taste buds, only provide texture.

Where are Circumvallate Papillae located?

Arranged in a V-shape at the back of the tongue.

What are the layers of the eye?

Fibrous layer, Vascular layer (Uvea), Neural layer.

What comprises the Fibrous Layer of the eye?

Sclera and Cornea.

What is the primary function of the Vascular Layer (Uvea) of the eye?

Supplies blood to the eye; consists of choroid, ciliary body, and iris.

What is located in the Neural Layer of the eye?

Retina, which contains photoreceptors (rods and cones).

What is the function of the Ganglion Cell Layer in the retina?

Neurons whose axons form the optic nerve.

What do rods in the retina detect?

Low-light vision.

What do cones in the retina detect?

Color vision.

Which cavitiy is responsible for detecting smell?

Nasal cavity with olfactory epithelium.

What do Mechanoreceptors in the skin detect?

Touch.

Where are taste buds located?

Within the papillae on the tongue.

What do the cochlea's hair cells detect?

Sound vibrations.

Which part of the eye focuses light?

Lens.

What is the function of the Lacrimal glands?

Produces tears.

What is the purpose of the iris in the eye?

Controls the diameter of the pupil.

What is the main role of the tympanic membrane?

Vibrates in response to sound.

What are the ossicles in the middle ear?

Malleus, Incus, Stapes; amplify sound vibrations.

What is the function of the semicircular canals?

Detect rotational movement and balance.

What is the role of the olfactory bulb?

Processes smell information.

What are the external structures of the eye?

Lacrimal gland, lacrimal canals, lacrimal sac, nasolacrimal duct, eyelids.

What does the conjunctiva cover?

The sclera.

What forms the optic nerve?

Axons of ganglion cells in the eye.

What structure helps maintain the shape of the eye?

Vitreous humor.

What is the fovea centralis?

Area of sharpest vision in the retina.

Where is the blind spot located in the eye?

Optic disc where the optic nerve exits.

What detects sound in the inner ear?

The Organ of Corti in the cochlea.

What do Pacinian corpuscles detect?

Deep pressure.

What is the main function of the ear?

Detect sound and maintain balance.

What are the two main types of sensory receptors for taste?

Gustatory cells in taste buds.

What is the main function of the nasal cavity?

Warms, moistens air, and detects odors.

What do the ciliary body and iris control in the eye?

The shape of the lens and the size of the pupil.

How does the skin act as a sensory organ?

Contains receptors for touch, temperature, and pressure.

What is the purpose of the auditory tube (Eustachian Tube)?

Equalizes pressure in the middle ear.

What are the main components of the organ of Corti?

Hair cells that detect sound vibrations.

What do the semicircular canals detect?

Rotational movements.

What is filled with aqueous humor?

Anterior segment of the eye.

What is filled with vitreous humor?

Posterior segment of the eye.

How does the skin's epidermis protect the body?

By providing a barrier against external factors.

What do Meissner’s corpuscles detect?

Light touch.

What is the thick outer layer of the eye called?

Sclera.

What sensory function do photoreceptors in the retina serve?

Detect light.

What is the primary function of the pupil?

Allows light to enter the eye.

Where does sound transmission start in the ear?

Pinna (Auricle) collects sound.

What are the two types of hair cells found in the cochlea?

Inner and outer hair cells.

Which layer of the retina contains the photoreceptors?

Photoreceptor layer.

What are the three types of papillae of the tongue responsible for?

Taste sensation.

What is the function of the lacrimal sac?

Collects tears from the canaliculi.

What does the nasolacrimal duct do?

Drains tears into the nasal cavity.

What layer of skin contains structural support and contains blood vessels?

Dermis.

What are the main functions of the skin?

Protects internal organs and regulates temperature.

What is contained within the cochlear duct?

The Organ of Corti.

What type of cells are responsible for color vision in the retina?

Cones.

What part of the eye focuses light onto the retina?

Lens.

What type of receptors are present in the olfactory epithelium?

Olfactory receptors.

What is the role of the vestibulocochlear nerve?

Transmits hearing and balance information to the brain.

What part of the tongue facilitates taste?

Taste buds located in papillae.

What mammalian structure amplifies sound?

The ossicles (Malleus, Incus, Stapes).

What is the purpose of the retinal ganglion cells?

Transmit visual information from the retina to the brain.

What structure of the ear transmits vibrations to the oval window?

Ossicles.

What do the sac like structures in the inner ear (saccule and utricle) help detect?

Gravity and linear acceleration.

What are the main types of mechanoreceptors found in the skin?

Pacinian and Meissner’s corpuscles.

What do taste buds detect?

Flavor or taste.

Which papillae of the tongue does not have taste buds?

Filiform papillae.

What role does the choroid layer play in the eye?

It supplies blood to the retina.

What is the function of the vestibule in the ear?

Detects gravity and linear acceleration.

What type of tissue forms the epidermis of the skin?

Stratified squamous epithelium.

Which part of the eye helps protect and lubricate?

Palpebrae (eyelids).

What is the function of rods in the retina?

Detect low-light conditions.

What structures are responsible for detecting touch in the skin?

Mechanoreceptors, such as Meissner’s corpuscles and Pacinian corpuscles.

What is the role of the ciliary body in the eye?

Controls the shape of the lens for focusing.

Where are taste buds primarily found?

Within the papillae of the tongue.

What do hair cells in the cochlea convert?

Sound vibrations into electrical signals.

What is the primary function of the olfactory receptors?

Detect and identify smell.

What type of receptor in the skin detects temperature?

Thermoreceptors.

What part of the eye refracts light to help focus images?

Cornea.

What do the saccule and utricle detect in the inner ear?

Linear acceleration and gravity.

Which part of the ear is responsible for balance?

The vestibular system, including the semicircular canals.

What is the function of the conjunctiva in the eye?

Covers and protects the sclera, providing lubrication.

What is the function of the cornea in the eye?

Refracts light and helps to focus images on the retina.

What role does the sclera play in the eye?

Provides structural support and protection to the eye.

What is the purpose of the ciliary muscle?

Changes the shape of the lens for focusing on objects at varying distances.

What is the function of the retina?

Converts light into electrical signals for the brain to process images.

Where is the fovea located and what is its function?

Located in the retina; responsible for sharp central vision.

What are photoreceptors and what types are found in the retina?

Cells that detect light; there are rods and cones in the retina.

What is the role of the macula in the eye?

An area of the retina that provides detailed central vision.

What part of the eye is responsible for adjusting the focus for different distances?

The lens.

What is the optic disc?

The area of the retina where the optic nerve exits, also known as the blind spot.

What is the significance of the choroid in the eye?

Provides oxygen and nutrients to the outer layers of the retina.

What is the purpose of the aqueous humor?

Maintains intraocular pressure and provides nutrients to the eye.

How does the pupil adjust in different lighting conditions?

The iris constricts or dilates to control the amount of light entering the eye.