Chapter 17 - The Special Senses Flashcards
What is Olfaction?
Olfaction:
Sense of smell
Smell is a chemical sense
Human nose contains 10 to 100 million receptors for smell (olfaction) in the Olfactory epithelium of the superior part of the nasal cavity
The olfactory epithelium covers the interior surface of the Cribriform Plate (of the Ethmoid bone of skull) and extends along Superior Nasal Concha
What are the 3 Types of Olfactory Cells?
1- Olfactory Receptor Cells (has olfactory cilia after dendrites)
2- Supporting Cells
3- Basal Cells
What is Supporting Cells?
Columnar epithelium
Located in the mucous membrane lining the nose
Used for physical support, nourishment, and electrical insulation for Olfactory Receptor Cells
What is Basal Stem Cells?
Undergo mitosis to replace Olfactory Receptor Cells
What is Olfactory Glands (Bowman’s Gland)?
Produce mucus that is used to dissolve odor molecules so that transduction may occur
How are Impulses sent along Olfactory Nerve I (1)?
Receptors in the nasal mucosa send impulses along branches of Olfactory Nerve I (1)
Through the Cribriform Plate
Synapse with the Olfactory Bulb
Impulses travel along the Olfactory Tract
Interpretation in the Primary Olfactory Area in Cerebral Cortex (Temporal Lobe)
What is Olfactory Transduction?
Olfactory Transduction:
Binding of an odorant molecule to an Olfactory Receptor Protein
Chemical reactions involving cAMP causes depolarization
Action potential travels to Primary Olfactory Area
Impulse travels to the Frontal Lobe (Orbitofrontal Area) for odor identification
What is Gustation?
Gustation:
Sense of taste
Taste is a chemical sense, but it is much simpler than Olfaction
There are only 5 Primary Tastes:
1- Sour
2- Sweet
3- Bitter
4- Salt
5- Umami (meaty, savory)
(flavors other than Umami are combinations of the other 4 primary tastes)
What is Taste Buds?
Taste Buds:
Contain receptors for sensation of taste
Approximately 10,000 taste buds are found on the Tongue of a young adult and on the Soft Palate, Pharynx, and Epiglottis
Taste Buds contain 3 kinds of epithelial cells
1- Supporting Cells
2- Gustatory Receptor Cells (w/ Gustatory Microvilli)
3- Basal Stem Cells
Where are Taste Buds?
Taste Buds are located in elevations on the Tongue called Papillae
What are the 3 Types of Papillae that contain Taste Buds?
1- Vallate Papillae:
About 12 that contain 100-300 Taste Buds
2- Fungiform Papillae:
Scattered over the Tongue with about 5 Taste Buds each
3- Foliate Papillae:
Located in Lateral Trenches of the Tongue
(most of their Taste Buds degenerate in early childhood)
What is Filiform Papillae?
Filiform Papillae cover the entire surface of the Tongue
Contain Tactile Receptors but no Taste Buds
Increase friction to make it easier for the Tongue to move food within the mouth
What is Structure of Tongue?
Epiglottis
Palatine Tonsil
Lingual Tonsil
Vallate Papillae (center very noticeable)
Fungiform Papillae (scattered)
Filiform Papillae (non noticeable)
Foliate Papillae (Lateral Trenches)
What are the Cranial Nerves Associated with Gustation?
3 Cranial Nerves are involved in Gustation:
1- Facial Nerve VII (7):
Carries taste information from anterior 2/3 of tongue
2- Glossopharyngeal Nerve IX (9):
Carries taste information from posterior 1/3 of tongue
3- Vagus Nerve X (10):
Carries taste information from Taste Buds on the Epiglottis and in Throat
(Trigeminal Nerve V (5) conveys touch)
What is Gustatory Pathway?
Anterior 2/3 of tongue:
Facial Nerve VII (7) to Gustatory Nucleus on Medulla Oblongata
Then Second-Order Neuron to Thalamus
Then Third-Order Neuron to Primary Gustatory Area of Cerebral Cortex
Posterior 1/3 of tongue:
Glossopharyngeal Nerve IX (9) to Gustatory Nucleus on Medulla Oblongata
Then Second-Order Neuron to Thalamus
Then Third-Order Neuron to Primary Gustatory Area of Cerebral Cortex
Epiglottis:
Vagus Nerve X (10) to Gustatory Nucleus on Medulla Oblongata
Then Second-Order Neuron to Thalamus
Then Third-Order Neuron to Primary Gustatory Area of Cerebral Cortex
What is Vision?
Vision uses visible light in which is part of the electromagnetic spectrum with wavelengths from 400 to 700nm
What are Accessory Structures of the Eyes?
Eyelids
Eyelashes
Eyebrows
Lacrimal Apparatus
Extrinsic Eye Muscles
What is Palpebral Muscles?
Control eyelid movement
What is Extrinsic Eye Muscles?
Move eyeball in all directions
What is Conjunctiva?
Thin, protective mucous membrane that lines the eyelids and covers the Sclera
What is Tarsal Plate?
Fold of connective tissue that gives form to the eyelids
Contains row of Sebaceous Glands (Tarsal Glands or Meibomian Glands) that keep eyelids from sticking to each other
What is Lacrimal Apparatus?
Produces and drains tears
Pathway for Tears:
1- Lacrimal Glands
2- Lacrimal Ducts
3- Lacrimal Puncta
4- Lacrimal Canaliculi
5- Lacrimal Sac
6- Nasolacrimal Ducts that carry tears into nasal cavity
What are the 6 Extrinsic Muscles that Move the Eyes in all Directions?
Superior Rectus
Inferior Rectus
Lateral Rectus (LR6 - CN6 Abducens Nerve)
Medial Rectus
Superior Oblique (SO4 - CN4 Trochlear Nerve)
Inferior Oblique
What are the 2 Tunics (Coats) of the Eyeball?
1- Fibrous Tunic
Cornea
Sclera
2- Vascular Tunic:
Choroid
Ciliary Body
Iris
What is Iris?
Colored portion of eyeball
Controls size of Pupil based on Autonomic Reflexes
Bright light - constrict - circular muscles of Iris contracts (Parasympathetic)
Dim light - dilate - radial muscles of Iris contracts (Sympathetic)
What is Retina?
Retina lines posterior 3/4 of the inner layer of the eyeball
What is Optic Disc (Blind Spot)?
Point at which Optic Nerve II (2) exits the eye
What is Macula Lutea?
Macula Lutea is the exact center of the Retina
In its center is the Fovea Centralis, the area of highest visual acuity
What are Photoreceptors in Retina?
Retina contains Photoreceptors known as:
1-Rods:
To see in dim light
2- Cones:
Produce color vision
From these sensors, information flows through the Outer Synaptic Layer to Bipolar Cells through the Inner Synaptic Layer to Ganglion Cells
Axons of these exit as the Optic Nerve II (2)
What are the Eye’s Chambers?
Eye is divided into Anterior Chamber and Posterior Chamber by the Iris
What is Anterior Chamber?
Between Iris and Cornea
Filled with Aqueous Humor (clear watery liquid)