Human Body - Special Senses

Flashcards covering key concepts related to the anatomy, physiology, and disorders associated with the special senses of the human body.

Orbit

Bony cavity in the skull that houses the eye.

Lacrimal glands

Glands that produce tears to lubricate the eye.

Conjunctiva

A membrane covering the front of the eye and lining the eyelids.

Sclera

The white outer layer of the eye.

Cornea

The transparent front part of the eye that covers the iris and pupil.

Choroid coat

The middle layer of the eye containing blood vessels.

Iris

The colored part of the eye that controls pupil size.

Pupil

The opening in the center of the iris that allows light to enter the eye.

Retina

The light-sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the eye.

Aqueous humor

Clear fluid in the front part of the eye.

Vitreous humor

Clear gel that fills the space between the lens and the retina.

Refraction

The bending of light as it passes through the eye's lens.

Accommodation

The ability of the eye to focus on near and distant objects.

Pinna (auricle)

The visible part of the ear that funnels sound into the auditory canal.

Auditory canal

The tube that transmits sound from the pinna to the tympanic membrane.

Cerumen

Earwax produced by ceruminous glands.

Tympanic membrane

Also known as the eardrum, this membrane vibrates in response to sound waves.

Ossicles

The three tiny bones in the middle ear: malleus, incus, and stapes.

Eustachian tube

The tube that connects the middle ear to the throat, equalizing pressure.

Vestibule

Part of the inner ear that helps with balance.

Cochlea

A spiral-shaped organ in the inner ear responsible for hearing.

Organ of Corti

Structure within the cochlea that contains hair cells for hearing.

Semicircular canals

Three fluid-filled canals in the inner ear responsible for balance.

Amblyopia

Also known as lazy eye, a disorder where the eye fails to achieve normal visual acuity.

Astigmatism

A common vision condition caused by an irregular shape of the cornea.

Cataract

A clouding of the eye's lens that affects vision.

Glaucoma

A group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, often related to high eye pressure.

Hyperopia

Also known as farsightedness, a condition where distant objects are seen clearly, but close ones are blurry.

Myopia

Also known as nearsightedness, a condition where close objects are seen clearly, but distant ones are blurry.

Presbyopia

Age-related loss of the eye's ability to focus on close objects.

Strabismus

A condition in which the eyes do not properly align with each other.

Otitis media

An infection or inflammation of the middle ear.

Otosclerosis

An abnormal bone growth in the ear that can cause hearing loss.