Sensory Systems

Sensory Receptors

Dendrites that react to stimuli, found in sensory organs.

Mechanoreceptors

Receptors that respond to touch.

Thermoreceptors

Receptors that detect temperature variations.

Pain Receptors (Nociceptors)

Receptors that detect pain.

Chemoreceptors

Receptors that detect chemicals.

Photoreceptors

Receptors that detect light.

General Senses

Senses such as touch that are spread across the body.

Special Senses

Senses such as sight and hearing that have receptors clustered in specific organs.

Sclera

The white, fibrous outer layer of the eye.

Choroid

The pigmented, vascular layer of the eye that includes the iris and pupil.

Retina

The inner layer of the eye containing photoreceptors (rods and cones).

Iris

The part of the eye that adjusts pupil size to control light entry.

Rods

Photoreceptors responsible for low-light vision.

Cones

Photoreceptors responsible for color detection.

Optic Nerve

The nerve that transmits signals from the retina to the brain.

Blind Spot

The area where the optic nerve exits the eye, lacking photoreceptors.

Myopia

Nearsightedness caused by an eye that is too long.

Hyperopia

Farsightedness caused by an eye that is too short.

Auricle (Pinna)

The outer ear structure that collects sound.

Tympanic Membrane

Also known as the eardrum, it vibrates in response to sound.

Cochlea

The part of the inner ear that transforms sound vibrations into nerve impulses.

Organ of Corti

Structure in the cochlea that plays a crucial role in hearing.

Auditory Nerve

The nerve that carries sound signals from the cochlea to the brain.

Static Equilibrium

Balance maintained through the maculae in the cochlea at rest.

Dynamic Equilibrium

Balance detected through fluid movement in the semicircular canals.

Olfactory Receptors

Receptors in the nasal cavity that detect smells.

Olfactory Accommodation

The process of reduced sensitivity to a smell over time.

Taste Buds

Structures that contain chemoreceptors known as gustatory cells.

Gustatory Cells

Chemoreceptors in taste buds that transmit signals to the brain.

Circumvallate Papillae

One of the types of taste papillae on the tongue.

Filiform Papillae

Type of papillae that does not contain taste buds.

Fungiform Papillae

Type of taste papillae that contains taste buds.

Foliate Papillae

Type of taste papillae located on the sides of the tongue.

Facial Nerves

Three nerves that transmit taste signals to the brain.

retina

Inner most layer of the eye, has specialized light-sensitive nerve endings

choroid

Middle layer of the eye, contains the blood supply, provides nutrients to the eye

cornea

"Window of the eye", has no blood supply

rods

activated in dim light

conjunctiva

Mucous membranes that lines the eyelids, covers the sclera, and keeps the eye moist

aqueous humor

Fluid located anterior to the lens

conjunctivitis

pink eye

cones

activated in bright light, also help us see color

vitreous humor

Fluid located posterior to the lens

eustachian tube

The tube that connects the middle ear to the pharynx

earwax

cerumen

cochlear nerve

The main nerve that carries information about hearing

emmetropia

"Harmonious vision"; 20/20 vision

astigmatism

unequal curvatures in different parts of the cornea or lens

cataracts

cloudy vision caused by the clouding of the lens of the eye, leading to a gradual loss of vision.

glaucoma

blurred and distorted vision caused by increased pressure in the eye, potentially leading to vision loss.