ch 17: special senses Flashcards
what are the three main regions of the ear and what do they do?
External (outer) ear
◦ Collects sound waves
-Middle ear
◦ Conveys sound vibrations to oval window
- Internal (inner) ear
◦ Houses receptors for hearing and
equilibrium
- Internal (inner) ear
describe the anatomy of the external ear
contains the auricle with is the outside of your ear. it is formed of elastic cartilage covered with skin
the external auditory canal channels sound waves to the tympanic membrane
the tympanic membrane (eardrum) vibrates in response to sound waves and passes the vibrations into the middle ear
describe the anatomy of the middle ear
the auditory ossicles consist of the incus, malleus and stapes. these are connected by synovial joints
The auditory ossicles
a) are muscles that transmit sound vibrations from the outer ear to
the middle ear
b) are muscles that transmit sound vibrations from the outer ear to
the inner ear
c) are bones that transmit sound vibrations from the outer ear to
the inner ear
d) transmit sound waves, but they are neither bones nor muscles
C
how do vibrations pass through the middle ear
Vibrations caused by sound waves are passed on from
the tympanic membrane to the malleus (attached to the
tympanic membrane), followed by the incus, and the
stapes (the three auditory ossicles). The stapes
transmits the vibrations to the inner ear.
what do the stapedius muscle and tensor tympani muscle of the middle ear do?
The stapedius muscle
and tensor tympani
muscle prevent
excessive vibrations of
ossicles and eardrum
in loud noise.
what do the vestibular (oval) window and the cochlear (round window do? in middle ear
connect the middle ear and the inner ear
what is the function of the auditory tube in the middle ear?
The auditory tube connects
the middle ear and the
nasopharynx; to equalize
pressure between external
ear and middle ear
describe the semicircular canals of the inner ears
what do the contain
The semicircular canals as well as the vestibule
contain the receptors for equilibrium
what is the function of the cochlea
contains receptor cells for hearing
what forms the structures of the inner ear
The structures of the inner ear
are formed of an outer bony
labyrinth (contains perilymph )
and an inner membranous
labyrinth (contains endolymph)
scala tympani of the cochlea vs scala vestibuli of the cochlea
The scala tympani is part
of the bony labyrinth; it
contains perilymph (he fluid contained within the bony labyrinth, surrounding and protecting the membranous labyrinth)
The scala vestibuli is part
of the bony labyrinth; it
contains perilymph
The scala tympani and vestibuli are
completely separated, except at
the helicotrema
describe the cochlear duct of the cochlea
part of the membranous labyrinth; it contains endolymph
endolymph vs perilymph
Endolymph is rich in potassium and low in sodium and calcium, whereas perilymph is rich in sodium and low in potassium and calcium
the spiral organ of the cochlea
The spiral organ is the epithelium
that contains the receptors for
hearing → it rests on the basilar
membrane, in the cochlear duct
the vestibular membrane vs basilar membrane of cochlea
separates the cochlear duct
from the scala vestibule
The basilar membrane
separates the cochlear duct
from the scala tympani: the
spiral organ rests on it
describe soundwaves
Alternating regions of high/low pressure travelling in same direction
◦ Waves move through a medium (air, water…)
◦ Waves have frequency, wavelength, and amplitude
describe the frequency of soundwaves. which frequencies can we hear?
Frequency determines pitch of a sound
◦ Higher the frequency → higher the pitch
◦ Measured in cycles per second, or Hertz (Hz)
◦ Audible range = 20-20,000 Hz
what is the amplitude of sound?
Intensity = VOLUME = amplitude or “size” of the
wave
what are the 8 steps in the physiology of hearing?
- The auricle directs sound waves into the external acoustic meatus.
- When sound waves strike the tympanic membrane, the alternating waves of high and low pressure in the air cause the tympanic membrane to vibrate back and forth. The tympanic membrane vibrates slowly in response to low-frequency (low-pitched) sounds and rapidly in response to high-frequency (high-pitched) sounds.
- The central area of the tympanic membrane connects to the malleus, which vibrates along with the tympanic membrane. This vibration is transmitted from the malleus to the incus and then to the stapes.
4.As the stapes moves back and forth, its oval-shaped footplate, which is attached via a ligament to the circumference of the vestibular window, vibrates in the vestibular window. . - The movement of the stapes at the vestibular window sets up fluid pressure waves in the perilymph of the cochlea. As the vestibular window bulges inward, it pushes on the perilymph of the scala vestibuli.
- Pressure waves are transmitted from the scala vestibuli to the scala tympani and eventually to the cochlear window, causing it to bulge outward into the middle ear.
- As the pressure waves deform the walls of the scala vestibuli and scala tympani, they also push the vestibular membrane back and forth, creating pressure waves in the endolymph inside the cochlear duct.
- The pressure waves in the endolymph cause the basilar membrane to vibrate, which moves the hair cells of the spiral organ against the tectorial membrane. This leads to bending of the stereocilia and ultimately to the generation of nerve impulses in first-order neurons in cochlear nerve fibers.
spiral organ vs hair cells
The spiral organ is the
epithelium that contains the
receptors for hearing: it rests
on the basilar membrane
Hair cells with stereocilia
(microvilli) are the
receptors for hearing.
They synapse with firstorder neurons (CN VIII)
what does movements of basilar membrane cause
Movements of the basilar membrane cause the stereocilia of
hair cells to rub against the tectorial membrane. Bending of
stereocilia causes mechanically gated K+ channels to open,
causing K+
to enter the cell (remember, endolymph is high in K+
what happens when there is an influx of K+ cells
Influx of K+
leads to
depolarization of the hair cells,
which then release
neurotransmitters onto first-order neurons, triggering an EPSP
in the cochlear branch of the
vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII)
When depolarization takes place in hair cells,
a) sodium channels open, and sodium enters the cell
b) potassium channels open, and potassium enters the cell
c) potassium channels open, and potassium leaves the cell
d) calcium channels open, and calcium enters the cell
d
simplified steps of physiology of hearing
1.Auricle directs sounds waves into external auditory canal
2.Eardrum vibrates (slowly for low frequency, rapidly for high frequency)
3.Vibration of eardrum causes malleus to vibrate, transmitted to the incus, then to the stapes
4.Stapes makes oval window vibrate in and out of inner ear
5.Fluid pressure waves develop in the perilymph of scala vestibuli in the cochlea
6.Pressure waves transmitted from scala vestibuli to scala tympani through helicotrema,
eventually through round window (#9), which bulges outward in middle ear
7.Pressure waves also push the vestibular membrane back and forth, creating pressure waves
in endolymph inside cochlear duct
8.Pressure waves in endolymph cause basilar membrane to vibrate, which moves the hair cells
of the spiral organ against the tectorial membrane. Bending of hair cell stereocilia produces
receptor potentials leading to action potential in cochlear branch of CN VIII.
describe the 5 steps of the auditory pathway
- from thala. CN VIII to medula
- some axons go from medulla to pons to locate the source of sounds
- from medulla and pons to inferior colliculi of midbrain
- from midbrain to thalamus to primary auditory area of cerebral cortex
what are the 2 types of balance
- Static equilibrium
◦ Maintain the position of the body (head) relative to the force of gravity, or
linear acceleration - Dynamic equilibrium
◦ Maintain body position (head) during sudden movement of any type -
rotation, deceleration or acceleration - rotational
what role does the vestibule play in static equillibrium
The vestibule contains
the receptors for static
equilibrium
what do the utricle and saccule do in static equillibrium
the utricle and the saccule are
sacs (membranous labyrinth)
of the vestibule
Within the wall of the utricle
and the saccule is a small
region called the macula; both
maculae contain the receptors
for static equilibrium.
what role do otolithic membraine and hair cells play in static equilibrium?
otolithic membrane covers hair cells
hair cells with stereocilia are the receptors for equilibrium
supporting cells secrete a gelatinous layer called otolithic membrane
what happens when you tilt your head
As you tilt your head, otolithic
membrane moves and causes
the bending of stereocilia
Bending of stereocilia causes
mechanically gated K+ channels to
open, followed by K+
influx, leading
to the depolarization of hair cells.
Neurotransmitters released from hair
cells onto first-order neurons triggers
an EPSP in the vestibular branch of the
vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII)
Just like with the sense of hearing,
a) equilibrium involves mechanically-gated channels
b) equilibrium involves the vestibulocochlear nerve
c) equilibrium involves the entry of potassium into the cell to cause
depolarization
d) All the above
d) all the above
what role do the semicircular canals play in dynamic equillibrium
they contain the receptors for dynamic equillibrium
describe the role of the ampulla in dynamic equillibrium
the ampulla of semicircular canals
are sacs of membranous labyrinth
Within the wall of the ampullae
is a small region called crista;
cristae contain the receptor
cells for dynamic equilibrium.
describe the role of the cupula
the cupula (gelatinous tissue) covers hair cells
hair cells with stereocilia are the receptors for equillibrium
what happens when you turn your head (like shaking it)
As you turn your head, fluid in
ampulla causes cupula to move,
followed by bending of stereocilia
Bending of stereocilia causes
mechanically gated K+ channels to
open, followed by K+
influx, leading
to the depolarization of hair cells.
Neurotransmitters released
from hair cells onto first-order neurons triggers an
EPSP in the vestibular branch
of the vestibulocochlear
nerve (CN VIII)
describe the equilibrium pathway
- CN VIII to vestibular nuclei in medulla and pons
- From vestibular nuclei to the
cerebellum for balance and posture - from vestibular nuclei to CN
III, IV, VI and XI for movements
of eyeball, head and neck - Impulses also to go primary
somatosensory are of cerebral
cortex via thalamus
Which is the correct order of events of sound
transmission through the ear?
1. Sound waves strike the eardrum
2. The ear ossicles vibrate
3. Hair cells of the organ of Corti vibrate
4. The perilymph in the cochlea moves
5. Sound waves enter the external auditory canal
a) 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
b) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
c) 5, 1, 2, 4, 3
d) 5, 2, 1, 3, 4
C
Which structure within the ampulla contains hair
cells that are involved in dynamic equilibrium?
a) Cupola
b) Macula
c) Otolithic membrane
d) Crista
e) Vestibular apparatus
d) crista
what is olfaction
The sense of smell is a chemical sense
◦ Interaction of molecules with receptor cells
◦ To be detected, molecules (odorants) must be dissolved
where do olfactory impulses project to (in brain) and why?
Impulses project to the cerebral cortex (primary olfactory area, orbitofrontal
area), the limbic system (for emotional reactions) and the hypothalamus (for
memory-triggered reactions)
where are the receptors found for the olfactory system
All receptors (> 100 million) for
the sense of smell are found
within the olfactory epithelium,
which covers the superior nasal
cavity and cribriform plate (part
of the ethmoid bone)
what kind of neurons are olfactory receptors? Where do they extend to?
Olfactory receptors are first-order neurons; they are bipolar neurons with olfactory cilia. The long dendrite extends into
nasal cavity; the long axon goes through the
cribriform plate and joins other axons to form CN I
what do basal cells do?
Basal cells act as stem
cells in the olfactory
epithelium. Replace the
receptors monthly.
what do olfactory glands do?
They produce mucus
describe what happens in the physiology of olfaction. What is physically happening?
Odorants bind to
olfactory receptors (1st
order neurons).
Sodium channels
open, causing a
depolarizing graded
potential. A nerve
impulse is triggered in
the first-order neuron.
what are the 4 steps of transduction (olfaction)
- axons of first-order neurons pass through about 40 formina in the cribiform plate
- first-order neurons synapse with second-order neurons in the olfactory bulb
- axons of second-order neurons form the olfactory tract
- Second-order neurons synapse
with neurons in the primary
olfactory area of the cerebral cortex.
what is special about the olfactory pathway
Note: Olfactory pathway is the only
special sense where sensory information
goes directly to the cortex without first being relayed to the thalamus.
Some axons within the olfactory tract reach the limbic system and the hypothalamus (for emotional and
memory-evoked responses to odor
describe gustation
The sense of taste is also a chemical sense
◦ To be detected, molecules (tastants)
must be dissolved
◦ classes of tastants: sour, sweet, bitter,
salty and umami (meaty, savory)
where do they impulses for gustation project to?
think brain
the cerebral cortex (primary and gustatory area) and the limbic system (for emotional reactions)
how many taste buds are there, where are they found?
Approx. 10,000 taste buds are found on the
tongue, soft palate & larynx. Taste buds are found
on the papillae: Vallate papillae (V-shaped row on
back of tongue), fungiform papillae (everywhere
on tongue) and foliate papillae (side of tongue)
(papillae = small projecting body part)
describe the filiform papillae. What makes them special?
Another type of papillae, filiform papillae, contain tactile receptors (no
taste buds) and increase friction between the tongue and food