Human Anatomy & Physiology: The Special Senses

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary related to the special senses in human anatomy, focusing on definitions and functions of relevant structures and concepts.

Special Senses

Includes vision, taste, smell, hearing, and equilibrium; distinct sensory modalities mediated by specific receptors.

Photoreceptors

Cells in the retina (rods and cones) that transduce light energy into neural signals.

Fovea Centralis

A small pit in the macula lutea of the retina that contains only cones and is the region of greatest visual acuity.

Retina

The inner layer of the eye that contains photoreceptor cells, neurons, and glial cells; responsible for detecting light.

Aqueous Humor

A clear fluid found in the anterior segment of the eye, produced by the ciliary body, providing nutrients and maintaining intraocular pressure.

Ciliary Body

The thickened area of tissue surrounding the lens, which contains ciliary muscles that control lens shape for focusing.

Olfactory Epithelium

Located in the roof of the nasal cavity, containing sensory neurons and supporting cells for the sense of smell.

Gustatory Hairs

Microvilli that project from gustatory epithelial cells into taste pores, sensitive to dissolved chemicals for taste.

Equilibrium

The state of balance maintained by the vestibular apparatus in the inner ear, responding to head movements and position.

Myopia

Nearsightedness; a condition where light focuses in front of the retina due to an elongated eyeball.

Glaucoma

A condition characterized by increased intraocular pressure that can lead to damage to the optic nerve and vision loss.

Rods

Photoreceptors in the retina that are sensitive to dim light and responsible for peripheral vision.

Cones

Photoreceptors in the retina that detect color and are responsible for high-acuity vision under bright light.

Nyctalopia

Night blindness caused by rod degeneration, often due to vitamin A deficiency.

Cochlear Duct

A fluid-filled cavity in the cochlea that contains endolymph and houses the organ of Corti, responsible for hearing.

Basilar Membrane

A membrane in the cochlea that vibrates in response to sound waves; along its length, it plays a role in frequency discrimination.

Ototoxicity

Ear poisoning, where certain drugs or chemicals lead to damage of the inner ear, causing hearing loss.

Crista Ampullaris

A sensory structure in the semicircular canals of the ear that detects rotational movements of the head.

Olfactory Adaptation

The process by which olfactory receptors become less responsive to persistent odorants, leading to a decreased perception of smell.