Special senses Flashcards
Where and why are tears produced?
Lacrimal gland. They lubricate movement and remove debris by wiping from lateral to medial.
What is the role of the sinuses?
To reduce the weight of the skull, especially anteriorly. Allows circulation of mucus and contributes to the resonance of sound.
Why is the nasal cavity good at warming, humidifying and filtering incoming air?
Because the nose has a rich, superficial blood supply, mucous provides moisture and mucus and hairs trap particles.
What are the 3 salivary glands?
Parotid, submandibular and sublingual.
Which 3 bones make up the ear ossicles and what is there purpose?
Malleus (attached to tympanic membrane), incus (anvil) and the stapes (stirrup). Ear ossicles transmit vibration through the middle ear.
What is the vestibular window?
The medial wall of the tympanic cavity. Vestibular window also known as oval window. Opening into the vestibule of inner ear, closed by base of stapes.
What is the cochlear window?
The medial wall of the tympanic cavity. Cochlear window also know as the round window. Opening into the cochlear portion of the inner ear.
What do inner hair cells do?
They turn vibrations into neural signals.
What do outer hair cells do?
They amplify vibrations. They are motile-they change their shape and stiffness. In this way they act as amplifiers, increasing the amount of vibration on the basilar membrane.
What is tonotopic map?
The spatial arrangement of frequencies in the cochlea is maintained into the central auditory system all the way up to the primary auditory cortex,
What are the two small muscles in the middle ear?
Tensor tympani (motor fibres of the mandibular branch of the trigeminal nerve) and stapedius (facial nerve VII). Both serve to protect the tympanic membrane and ossicles from violent moment under very noisy conditions.
