Special senses Flashcards
Vocabulary learning
Retina
Innermost structural layer of the eye, containing the light sensitive nerve cells
Iris
Circular membrane suspended behind the cornea and encircling the front of the lens; regulates the amount of light entering the eye
Lens
Clear, colorless, lentil-shaped body suspended behind the iris, which changes shape to alter the focus of entering light rays
Conjunctiva
Membrane lining the inner surface of the eyelids and covering the visible surface of the sclera
Fovea
A tiny pit about 1 degree wide, in the center of the macula, composed of color receptors (cone cells)
Cornea
Clear, colorless portion of outer layer of eyeball, forming the anterior wall of the anterior chamber
Outer ear
Conducts sound to the eardrum via the external auditory canal. It is the primary screening device
Middle Ear
Conducts sound to the inner ear via the eardrum, ossicles, and oval window. Acts as an amplifier, increasing the force of the sound waves.
Inner Ear
Functions as the primary organ of hearing through the cochlea. Receives sound and transmits, electrical impulses to the auditory nerve. Also functions as the organ of equilibrium through the vestibule and semicircular canals by converting movements of fluid inside the organ into the electrical impulses; detects sudden changes and identifies static sense of position.
Conductive Hearing Loss
A mechanical problem of sound transmission caused by interference in the transmission of sound vibrations through the outer or middle ear due to impairment of these components (resulting from obstruction, congenital abnormalities, injury, disease, etc.)
Sensorineural Hearing loss
A problem in sound reception or transmission involving impairment of the inner ear. Because of defect in or damage to the small nerve endings and/or hair cells, the nerve does not receive sound vibrations. May also be due to defect in or damage to the auditory nerve, cerebral pathways, or auditory center in the brain
Mixed Hearing Loss
Combination of conductive and sensorineural loss with features of both
Vestibular Disturbance
Consists of disturbance in, and loss of appreciation of, the sense of position/posture (static equilibrium) and the sense of balance/movement in space (kinetic equilibrium). May also be associated with progressive hearing loss.
Air Conduction
The transmission of sound vibrations through the external auditory canal and the middle ear and into the inner ear
Audiogram Report
Chart for depicting the variations in hearing acuity by frequency and decibel levels for both bone and air conduction
Bone Conduction
Transmission of sound vibrations through the mastoid process or skull to activate the sensory organs of the inner ear directly
Cochlea
Primary organ of hearing housing sensory organs
Labyrinth
System of fluid-filled bony and membranous interconnecting canals within the inner ear
Meniere’s Disease
An inner ear disorder with the symptoms ranging from ringing, buzzing and dizziness to total deafness and loss of equilibrium
Organ of Corti
Sensory organ in the inner ear with nerve endings that convert the mechanical sound wave vibrations into electrical impulses
Semicircular Canals
Semicircular organs within the inner ear that detect sudden changes in movement, movements of rotation and of acceleration in any direction
Tinnitus
Sensation in the ear of ringing, buzzing, or clicking
Vertigo
Inability to maintain equilibrium; an hallucinatory sensation of surroundings revolving or moving forward or backward
Ostosclerosis
Hereditary disease in which there is formation of spongy bone around the capsule of the inner ear
Decibel
Unit used to express the intensity of sound
Frequency
A sound wave length that determines pitch
Larynx
The primary mechanism by which we speak, i.e., the organ of speech
Vocal Cords
Voice sounds are produced by vibration of vocal cords
Epiglottis
An elastic cartilage which guards the glottis during swallowing
Glottis
The two vocal folds and the space between them
Palate
Roof of the mouth, modifies sounds
Tongue
Muscles of this structure allow it to assume the necessary form for enunciation of different sounds
6 small muscles
Hold the eye in place and allows controlled movement
Sclera
“Whites of the eyes”, fibrous, tough, outer coverings, covers 3/4 of of the eyeball from the edge of the cornea to the back of the eye where it connects to the dura, it is a continuation of the dura
Dura
Outer coat of the back of the eye
Anterior Chamber
Space between the cornea and the iris containing aqueous humor
Pupil
Regulates the amount of light allowed into the eye
Ciliary body
Produces aqueous humor, muscle that holds lens in place and aids in accommodation
Choroid
Vascular coat between retina and sclera that furnishes blood supply to the retina and conducts arteries and nerves to the anterior structures
Posterior chambers
Space behind the iris containing aqueous humor
Vitreous Humor
Jelly like substance that fills the posterior portion of the eye
Vitreous chamber
Space behind the lens containing vitreous humor
Peripheral Retina
Attaches to the choroid and to the vitreous body
Mostly made up of rods
Involved in the performance of the peripheral visual field and night vision tasks
Central retina
Contains the Macula
Nerve tissue of the retina is made primarily of Cones
Color perception occurs here
Pure tone average
Combining the 3 scores at the 500 dB, 1000 dB, and 2000 dB and dividing by 3 to get the average
Bone conduction
The transmission of sound to the inner ear primarily by means of mechanical vibrations of the cranial bones
Malleus (Hammer)
One of the 3 tiny bones called ossicles
Incus (anvil)
One of the 3 tiny bones called ossicles
Stapes (stirrup)
One of the 3 tiny bones called ossicles
Pinna
Part of outer ear
External Auditory Canal
Part of out ear
Eardrum (Tympanic membrane)
Part of outer ear
Tympanic Cavity
Part of the middle ear
Eustachian tube
Part of the middle ear and exit middle ear release of air pressure
Oval Window
Part of the middle ear
Vestibule
Chamber between the semicircular canals and Cochlea made up of Utricle and Saccule- Otolith organs within the vestibule sensitive to changes in position
Internal Auditory Canal
A short auditory canal in the temporal bone through which pass the facial and auditory nerves and the internal auditory artery
