Anatomy & Physiology – Final Exam

70 flashcards covering key anatomical and physiological concepts related to the ear, eye, nose, and urinary system.

Tympanic membrane

Membrane that vibrates when sound waves hit it; begins sound transmission.

Physiology of hearing

Sound waves vibrate tympanic membrane amplified by ossicles, then travel through the cochlea. Hair cells in the organ of the corgi convert vibrations into nerve impulses sent via the auditory nerve to the brain as sound

Outer ear

Collect sound: pinna, external acoustic meatus (vertical & horizontal canals).

Middle ear

Transmit and amplify sound: Tympanic membrane, auditory ossicles, pharyngotympanic tube, oval window, round window

Inner ear

Handle hearing and balance: Cochela, organ of corti, semicircular canals

Auditory Ossicles

Three small bones in the middle ear that amplify vibrations from the tympanic membrane.

Malleus

First bone in the auditory ossicles, attached to the tympanic membrane.

Incus

Middle bone in the auditory ossicles that transfers vibrations.

Stapes

Last bone in the auditory ossicles that presses on the oval window.

Pharyngotympanic Tube

Tube that equalizes pressure between the middle ear and environment.

Oval Window

Membrane that receives vibrations from the stapes and transmits them into the cochlea.

Round Window

Membrane that relieves pressure created by cochlear fluid movement.

Cochlea

Structure in the inner ear that converts vibrations into nerve signals for hearing.

Organ of Corti

Structure containing hair cells that detect sound vibrations.

Semicircular Canals

Structures in the inner ear that detect rotational movement for balance.

Pinna

Outer ear structure that collects sound waves.

External Acoustic Meatus

Canals that channel sound toward the tympanic membrane.

Physiology of Sight

Light passes through the cornea, aqueous humor, pupil, and lens to focus on the retina. Rods and cones convert light into signals sent via the optic nerve to the brain, producing images

Sclera

Tough outer layer protecting the eye.

Cornea

Transparent surface of the eye that refracts light.

Iris

Part of the eye that controls the size of the pupil.

Lens

Structure that focuses light onto the retina.

Ciliary Body

Structure that changes lens shape for focusing.

Retina

Contains photoreceptors that convert light into electrical signals.

Optic Nerve

Nerve that carries visual signals to the brain.

Conjunctiva

Membrane that protects and lubricates the eye.

Palpebral Conjunctiva

Lines inside eyelid

Bulbar conjunctiva

Covers eyeball

Lacrimal Puncta

Small openings that drain tears from the eye surface.

Nictitating Membrane

Third eyelid that protects the eye and spreads tears.

Aqueous Humor

Fluid that nourishes the cornea and lens and maintains eye pressure.

Vitreous Humor

Gel that supports the retina and maintains the shape of the eye.

Anterior Cavity

Part of the eye that contains aqueous humor in front of the lens.

Posterior Cavity

Part of the eye behind the lens that contains vitreous humor.

Cataract

Cloudy lens that causes blurry vision, usually treated with surgery.

Glaucoma

Condition of increased eye pressure that can damage the optic nerve.

Physiology of smell

Oder molecules enter nose and stimulate olfactory receptors, which send nerve impulses via the olfactory nerve to the brain for smell perception

Scent detection

Odor molecules dissolve in nasal mucus and stimulate olfactory receptors neurons. Supporting cells, basal cells and bowman’s gland help detect and process the scent

Nostrils

Openings that serve as entrances for air and smells.

Nasal Cavity

Passage that warms, moistens, and filters air.

Nasal Turbinates

Structures that increase surface area for air filtration and warming.

Olfactory Epithelium

Tissue in the nasal cavity that detects smells.

Mucus

Substance that traps dust and microbes in the nasal passages.

Cilia

Hair-like structures that help move mucus out of the nasal cavity.

Septum

Structure that divides the nasal cavity into two passages.

Physiology of Urinary System

Kidneys filter blood to remove wastes and balance water electrolytes and ph. Urine is stored in bladder and excreted via the urethra

Kidneys

Organs that filter blood, regulate water/ph and remove waste.

Nephrons

Functional units of the kidneys that perform filtration and reabsorption.

Afferent Arteriole

Blood vessel that brings blood into the glomerulus.

Glomerulus

Capillary network that filters water and small solutes from blood.

Efferent Arteriole

Blood vessel that carries filtered blood away from the glomerulus.

Bowman's Capsule

Structure that collects filtrate from the glomerulus.

Proximal Convoluted Tubule

Part of the nephron that reabsorbs most water, glucose, and electrolytes.

Loop of Henle

Part of the nephron that helps concentrate urine.

Descending limb of henle

reabsorbs water

Ascending limb of henle

Reabsorbs salts

Distal Convoluted Tubule

Part of the nephron that performs secretion and electrolyte balance.

Collecting Duct

Final segment of the nephron where water adjustment occurs.

Ureter

Tube that carries urine from the kidneys to the bladder.

Urinary Bladder

Organ that stores urine until excretion.

Urethra

Tube that carries urine out of the body.

Renin

Hormone that raises blood pressure.

Erythropoietin

Hormone that stimulates red blood cell production.

ADH (Antidiuretic Hormone)

Hormone that increases water reabsorption in the kidneys.

Glomerular Filtrate

Fluid filtered by the kidneys, containing water, glucose, amino acids, and electrolytes.

Diuretic

Substance that increases urine output.

Sensory Organs

Organs that process sensory information, including eyes, ears, nose, and skin.

GFR

Rate at which kidneys filter blood. aprx 120mL/min

Renin

Starts RAAS to raise blood pressure and increase sodium/water retention.

Erythropoietin

Kidney hormone that increases red blood cell production

Aqueous fluid

Watery, front of eye, nourishes cornea/lens

Vitreous Fluid

Gel like, support retina, maintains eye shape

Main components of urine

Mostly water, urea, salts and other wastes