AVS 3011 – Eye Dissection – Special Senses

These flashcards cover key terms and definitions related to the anatomy and physiology of the eye, as presented in AVS 3011 lecture on eye dissection and special senses.

Vision

The ability to see; one of the five major external special senses.

Audition

The sense of hearing; one of the five major external special senses.

Gustation

The sense of taste; one of the five major external special senses.

Olfaction

The sense of smell; one of the five major external special senses.

Tactile

Relating to the sense of touch, which is part of the somatic senses.

Afferent impulses

Nerve signals that carry sensory information from sensory receptors to the central nervous system.

Sensory receptors

End organs of afferent nerves that convert stimuli into action potentials.

Exteroceptors

Sensory receptors that detect stimuli from outside the body.

Interoceptors

Sensory receptors that detect stimuli originating within the body.

Proprioceptors

Sensory receptors that signal conditions deep within the body, including muscle position.

Photoreceptor cells

Cells in the retina that convert light into electrical signals.

Conjunctivitis

Inflammation of the conjunctiva, leading to redness and discomfort.

Fibrous tunic

The outermost coat of the eye that includes the sclera and cornea.

Vascular tunic

The middle layer of the eye also known as the uvea, containing blood vessels.

Nervous tunic

The innermost layer of the eye, which contains the retina.

Sclera

The tough white outer layer of the eyeball that provides support.

Cornea

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

Ciliary body

The structure that contains muscles that change the shape of the lens for focusing.

Lens

The transparent structure in the eye that focuses light onto the retina.

Aqueous humor

The fluid in the anterior chamber of the eye that helps maintain intraocular pressure.

Glaucoma

A condition characterized by increased intraocular pressure that can damage the optic nerve.

Macula lutea

An area of the retina with a high concentration of photoreceptors for detailed vision.

Tapetum lucidum

A light-reflecting layer behind the retina that enhances vision in low light.

Accommodation

The process by which the eye's lens changes shape to focus on objects at different distances.

Emmetropia

Normal vision, where light is focused directly on the retina.

Myopia

Nearsightedness, where close objects are seen clearly but distant objects appear blurry.

Hyperopia

Farsightedness, where distant objects are seen clearly but close objects appear blurry.

Nictitating membrane

Also known as the third eyelid; a fold of tissue in some animals that helps protect the eye.

Visual streak

A linear area of heightened visual acuity found in some mammals, especially herbivores.

Blind spot

The point on the retina where the optic nerve exits the eye, containing no photoreceptors.