Ch. 17 - Special Senses Flashcards
What are the 4 steps in the process of sensation?
- stimulation of receptor
- transduction into graded potential
- generation of nerve impulse
- integration of sensory input
Where are receptors for smell found?
olfactory epithelium (that lines the inf surface of the cribiform plate of the ethmoid bone)
What are the 4 cells of the olfactory membrane?
olfactory receptors, supporting cells, basal (stem) cells, olfactory glands
Describe the structure of olfactory receptors
- bipolar neurons with olfactory hairs (cilia
- dendrite extends into nasal cavity
- axon goes through cribiform plate and joins other axons to form CN I
What is the function of non-motile cilia? Where are they found?
contain olf receptor proteins and act as sites of transduction; on dendrite side
What are the 5 steps in the physiology of olfaction?
- odorants bind to olf receptor cells
- Na+/Ca+ channels open and ions enter
- depolarization occurs, generates epsp
- triggers nerve impulse
- rapid adaptation
What do olf receptor cells (first-order neurons) synapse with and where?
mitral cells (second-order) in the olfactory bulb
What do second-order neurons form?
olfactory tract that synapses on primary olfactory area of temporal lobe
What is a distinct feature of the olfactory pathway?
only special sense where sensory info does not relay in thalamus, and goes directly to cortex
Aside from the primary olfactory area, where else do the axons reach?
- limbic system and hypothalamus (emotional/memory-evoked responses)
- orbitofrontal cortex (identify/differentiate odours)
What are the 5 classes of tastants?
sour, sweet, bitter, salty, umami (savoury)
Where are taste buds located?
papillae on tongue
What are the 3 types of papillae that contain taste buds? Where are they located?
- vallate papillate (back of tongue)
- fungiform papillae (over entire tongue)
- foliate papillae (in lateral trenches, degenerate during early childhood)
What is the 4th type of papillae and what are its features?
filiform papillae (entire tongue surface)
- no taste buds; contain tactile receptors
- increase friction to facilitate movement of food within mouth
What are the 3 types of cells in taste buds?
- gustatory receptor cells (contain microvilli)
- supporting cells
- basal stem cells
What is the physiology of gustation?
dissolved tastants bind to receptors on gustatory microvilli (site of transduction)
receptor potential in gustatory cell –> NT release –> AP in first-order neuron
How does transduction occur for salty tastes?
high in NaCl –> stimulates opening of Na+ to trigger depolarization
How does transduction occur for sour tastes?
high in H+ (acidic) –> causes H+ channels to open to trigger depolarization
In which cranial nerves are first-order gustatory fibers located?
CN VII, IX, X
Where do taste impulses from cranial nerves synapse?
gustatory nucleus in medulla
Aside from the medulla, where else do taste impulses travel to?
- limbic system and hypothalamus
- thalamus –> primary gustatory area of cerebral cortex
What is the function of eyelids?
- lacrimal caruncle contains sebaceous and sudoriferous glands
- protect and lubricate eye
- contains levator palpebrae superioris muscle to elevate upper eyelid
What are other accessory structures of the eye?
extrinsic eye muscles, conjunctiva, tarsal plate
What are the 3 tunics (coats) of the eyeball?
- fibrous tunic (cornea, sclera)
- vascular tunic (choroid, ciliary body, iris)
- inner tunic (retina)
What is the function of the cornea?
helps focus light to retina, receives O2
Where are the 3 layers of the cornea superficial to deep?
- nonK stratified squamous epithelium
- collagen fibers + fibroblasts
- simple squamous epithelium
What is the function of the sclera?
dense irregular CT that gives shape to eyeball
- site of attachment for extrinsic eye muscles
What is the function of the choroid?
highly vascular, provides nutrients to retina
- pigments in melanocytes absorb scattered light
What is the function of the ciliary processes?
secrete aqueous humour
What is the function of the ciliary muscle?
alters shape of lens for near/far vision; holds lens in place so light must pass through before reaching retina
Where is the iris suspended between?
between cornea and lens; attached to ciliary processes at outer margin
What is the function of the iris?
regulates amount of light entering eye
Which pupillary muscles constrict/dilate?
constrict - circular muscles (parasym)
dilate - radial muscles (sym)
What is the macula lutea?
center of retina where light hits
What is the central fovea?
small depression in center of macula lutea, where most cone receptors lie
What is the blind spot?
in optic disc, where there are no cones/rods (photoreceptors)
What are the 3 layers of retinal cells?
- photoreceptors
- bipolar cell layer
- ganglion cell layer (first-order)
Describe features of anterior cavity
- anterior chamber bt cornea and iris
- posterior chamber bt iris and lens
- both chambers are filled with aqueous humpur
What are the 3 interior cavities of the eyeball?
- anterior cavity
- vitreous chamber
- lens
What is the function of the vitreous chamber? Where is it?
filled with vitreous body (jelly) and holds retina against choroid; contains phagocytic cells
- betweens lens and retina
What is the function of the lens?
focuses light on retina
Describe features of the lens
held in place by zonular fibers and attach to ciliary processes; avascular; enclosed in transparent CT capsule
What are the 3 major processes of image formation?
- refraction of light
- accommodation of lens
- constriction of pupil
What is refraction?
bending of light as it passes from one substance (e.g. air) to another substance with different density (e.g. cornea)