Chapter 17: The Special Senses Flashcards
Define the olfactory epithelium
A region in the superior part of the nasal cavity, covering the inferior surface of the cribriform plate and extending along the superior nasal concha that contains receptors
List the 3 types of cells in the olfactory epithelium
olfactory receptor cells
supporting cells
basal cells
Describe olfactory receptor cells
First-order neurons of the olfactory pathway
Bipolar neurons with an exposed knob-shaped dendrite and an axon projecting though the cribifrom plate that ends in the olfactory bulb
Define olfactory cilia
Projections from the dendrite of an olfactory receptor cell which are sites of olfactory transaction - conversion of a stimulus energy into a grated potential in a sensory neuron
Within the membranes of the cilia are olfactory receptors that detect inhaled chemicals
Define odorants
chemicals that have an odour that bind to and stimulate the olfactory receptors in the olfactory cilia
How do supporting cells contribute to olfaction?
Columnar epithelial cells of the mucous membrane lining the nose
They provide physical support, nourishment, and electrical insulation for the olfactory receptor cells and help detoxify chemicals
How do basal cells contribute to olfaction?
Stem cells located between the bases of the supporting cells that continually undergo cell division to produce new olfactory receptor cells, which live for only a month or so before being replaced
Define olfactory glands (Bowman’s glands)
Located in the connective tissue that supports the olfactory epithelium which produce mucous that is carried to the surface of epithelium by ducts
Moistens the surface and dissolves odourants so that transduction can occur
What is the sequence of events from the binding of an odorant molecule to an olfactory cilium to the arrival of a nerve impulse in the orbitofrontal area?
Olfactory transaction occurs in the following way:
- odourant binds and stimulates a G protein (membrane protein)
- G protein activates the enzyme adenylate cyclase to produce a substance called cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)
- cAMP opens a channel that allows Na+ to enter the cytosol, causing depolarizing generator potential to form
- If depolarization reaches threshold an AP is generated along the axon of the olfactory receptor cell
Do olfactory receptors adapt slowly or quickly?
Quickly but they are very sensitive (low threshold)
Define olfactory (I) nerves
on each side of the nose ~40 bundles of unmyelinated axons of olfactory cells tend though about 20 olfactory foramina in the cribiform plate of the ethmoid bone, collectively termed the olfactory (I) nerves
Where do olfactory (I) nerves terminate?
In the brain in paired masses of gray matter called the olfactory bulbs, which are located below the frontal lobes the cerebrum and lateral to the cristina galli of the ethmoid bone
Define the olfactory tract
Axons of olfactory bulb neurones extend posteriorly to form the tract
- some projecting to the primary olfactory area of the cerebral cortex located at the inferior and medial surface of the temporal lobe
- Others projecting the limbic and hypothalamus for our emotional/memory-evoked responses
Olfactory sensations are the only sensation that reach the cortex without first synapsing with the thalamus
Define taste buds
An oval body consisting of 3 kinds of epithelial cells: supporting cells, gustatory receptor cells, and basal cells
How do supporting cells contribute to gustation?
They contain microvilli and surround about 50 gustatory receptor cells in each taste bud
Gustatory microvilli project from each receptor cell to the external surface through the taste pore, and opening in the taste bud
How do basal cells contribute to gustation?
Stem cells found at the periphery of the taste bud near the connective tissue layer
Produce supporting ells, which then develop into receptor cells - each receptor cell has a life span of about 10 days
Define papillae
Elevations on the lounge which increase SA and provide a rough texture to the upper surface of the tongue
Describe vallate (circumvallate) papillae
About 12 form an inverted V shaped row at the back of the tongue- each houses 100-300 taste buds
Describe fugiform papillae
Mushroom-shaped elevations scattered around the entire surface of the tongue that contain about 5 taste buds each
Describe foliate papillae
Located in small trenches on the lateral margins of the tongue, but most of their taste buds degenerate in early childhood
Describe filiform papillae
pointed, threadlike structures on the entire surface of the tongue that contain tactile receptors but no taste buds
They increase friction between tongue and food making it easier for the tongue to move food in the oral cavity
Trace the path of a gustatory stimulus from contact of a tastant with saliva to the primary gustatory area in the cerebral cortex.
Tastant is dissolve din saliva and makes contact with the gustatory microvilli, which are the sites of taste transaction
A receptor potential stimulates exocytosis of synaptic vesicles from the gustatory receptor cell
The NTs trigger nerve impulses in the first-order sensory neurons that synapse with gustatory receptors
For salty (Na+) and sour (H+) food the accumulation inside the cell causes depolarization which leads to release of NT
Other tastants bind to receptors of the membrane that are linked to G proteins which activate second messages inside the the gustatory cell which cause depolarization and releases of a NT
How does taste thresholds differ?
Bitterness is the lowest (poisonous), sour is higher and salty and sweet are similar and have the highest thresholds
Complete adaption of a taste can occur in 1-5 minutes
Describe the 3 cranial nerves that contain axons of the first-order gustorary neurons that innervate the taste buds
Facial (VII) nerve serves taste buds in the anterior two-thirds of tongue
Glossopharyngeal (IX) serves taste buds in the posterior one-third of tongue
Vagus (X) nerve serves taste buds in the through and epiglottis
Describe the gustatory pathway
From taste buds nerve impulses propane along the 3 cranial nerves to the gustatory nucleus in the medulla oblongata
From the medulla, some axons project to the limbic system and hypoththlamus and others project to the thalamus
From the thalamus the signals project to the primary gustatory area in the parietal lobe
Define the palpebral fissure
The space between the upper and lower eyelids that exposes the eyeball
Its angles are known as the lateral commissure and medial commissure
Define lacrimal caruncle
A small reddish elevation in the medial commissure which contains sebaceous glands and sudoriferous glands
Define tarsal plate
A thick fold of connective tissue that gives form and support to the eyelids
Embedded in which are rows of modified sebaceous glands known as tarsal glands (meibomian glands) that secrete a fluid that helps keep the eyelids from adhering to each other
Define conjunctiva
A think, protective mucous membrane composed on nonkeratinized stratified squamous epithelium with numerous goblet cells that is supported by areolar connective tissue
Define the lacrimal apparatus and the flow of tears
A group of structures that produces and drains lacrimal fluid or tears in a processes called lacrimation
Lacrimal glands secrete tears into 6-12 lacrimal ducts that empty onto the surface of the conjunctiva of the upper lid
Tears pass medially and enter two small openings called the lacrimal puncta
Tears then pass into two ducts called the superior and inferior lacrimal canaliculi which lead into the lacrimal sac and then the nasolacrimal duct
Tears then drain into the nasal cavity
What is the purpose of lysozyme in lacrimal fluid?
It is a protective bactericidal enzyme
What are the 6 extrinsic eye msucles that move each eye?
Superior rectus Inferior rectus Medial rectus Superior oblique Inferior oblique
they are supplied by the oculomotor (III), trochlear (IV), or abducens (VI) nerves
Define periorbital fat
It is what surrounds the extrinsic eye muscles
List the 3 major layers of the eyeball
Fibrous tunic
Vascular tunic
Retina (inner tunic)
Describe the fibrous tunic
The superficial layer of the eyeball and consists of the: anterior cornea and posterior sclera
Describe the anterior cornea
transparent coat that covers the coloured iris; helps focus light into retina due to its curve
Outer surface - nonkeratinized stratified squamous epithelium
Middle - collagen fibers and fibroblasts
Inner - simple squamous epithelium
Describe the posterior sclera
the white of the eye; layer of dense connective tissue made up mostly of collagen fibers and fibroblasts
Covers the entire eye except the cornea; gives shape to the eye and protects the inner parts; serves as a site of attachment for extrinsic eye muscles
Define scleral venous sinus
An opening at the junction of the clear and cornea - aqueous humour (fluid) drains into this
Describe the vascular tunic
The middle layer of the eyeball that is composed of 3 parts: choroid, cilary body, and iris
Describe the choroid
The posterior portion the the vascular tunic which lines most of the internal surface of the sclera
Its blood vessels provides nutrients to the posterior surface of the retina
It also contains melanin which absorbs light and prevents reflection and scattering of light within the eyeball
Describe the ciliary body
the anterior portion of the vascular tunic that extends from the ora strata (jagged anterior margin of the retina) to ta point just posterior to the function of the sclera and cornea
Contains cillarly processes that secrete aqueous humorous
What are zonular fibers (suspensory ligaments) and how do they contribute to vision?
processes that extend from ciliary processes in the vascular tunic that attach to the lens
the tightness of these fibres are chanted by contraction or relaxation of the ciliary muscle (smooth muscle) which alters the shape of the lens, adapting for near/far vision
Describe the iris
The coloured portion of the eyeball that consists of melanocytes and circular radial smooth muscle fibers - Amount of melanin determines eye colour
A principal function is to regulate the amount of light entering the eyeball through the pupil
Which division of the ANS causes pupillary constriction? Which causes pupillary dilation?
Parasympathetic fibers of the oculomotor (III) nerve stimulate circular muscles (sphincter) of the iris to contract, causing pupil constriction
Sympathetic neurons stimulate radial muscles of the iris to contract, causing pupil increase (dilation)