Special Senses Flashcards
What are the special senses?
Olfaction (smell)
Gustation (taste)
Vision
Auditory and equilibrium
Why are olfaction and gustation classified as visceral senses?
Due to their close association with gastrointestinal function
Where are olfactory sensory neurons located?
In the olfactory epithelium
What makes up olfactory epithelium?
Olfactory receptors
Supporting cells
Basal cells
What are odorants?
Chemicals that have an odor that bind to and stimulate the olfactory receptors in the olfactory cilia
Describe the supporting cells of olfactory epithelium
Columnar epithelial cells of the mucous membrane lining the nose
What are the functions of supporting cells?
Physical support
Nourishment
Electrical insulation for the olfactory receptor cells
Help detoxify chemicals that come in contact with the olfactory epithelium
What are basal cells?
These are stem cells that located between the bases of supporting cells.
What is the purpose of basal cells?
Undergo cell division to produce new olfactory receptors cells
How does an olfactory receptor cell react to odorant molecules?
A generator potential (depolarization) develops and triggers one or more nerve impulses.
This is called olfactory transduction
_________________ sensations are the only sensations that reach the cerebral cortex without first synapsing in the thalamus
Olfactory
How are olfactory receptors cells adapted for their olfactory transduction?
Several Nonmotile olfactory cilia are sites of olfactory transduction
What are olfactory receptor cells?
The first order neurons of the olfactory pathway
How can we recognize around 10,000 different orders?
Patterns of activity in the brain from the activation of many different combinations of olfactory receptors cells
How much do olfactory receptors adapt in the first second of stimulation?
50%
On each side of the nose _________ bundles of the slender, unmyelinated axons of olfactory receptor cells extend through about ______ ______ ________ in the cribiform plate of the ethmoid bone
These ________ or so bundles of axons form the right and left olfactory (I) nerves
40
20 olfactory foramina
40
What are the five primary tastes ?
Sweet, sour, bitter, salty and umami
What 3 types of epithelial cells that make up each taste bud?
Gustatory cells
Supporting cells
Basal cells
Aside from the tongue, where can taste buds be found?
The soft palate, pharynx and epiglottis
Purpose of basal cells in the mouth
Stem cells that produce supporting cells which then develop into gustatory receptor cells
Where are taste buds found?
On elevations of the tongue called papillae
What are tastants?
Chemicals that stimulate gustatory receptor cells
Where is the site of taste transduction?
Plasma membranes of the gustatory microvilli
How long does adaptation to a specific taste occur?
1-5 minutes of continuous stimulation, varying for primary taste
What is electromagnetic radiation ?
Energy in the form of waves that radiates from the sun.
What is the name of of the range of electromagnetic radiation?
Electromagnetic spectrum
Give the range of wavelength of visible light
400nm - 700nm
What is the function of the eyelids/palpebrae?
Protect the eyes from excessive light, foreign objects and spread lubricating secretions
What are the functions of the eyelashes and eyebrows?
Help protect the eyeballs from foreign objects, perspiration and the direct rays of the sun
What are the lacrimal apparatus and it’s function?
Group of structures that produces and drains lacrimal fluid/tears via lacrimation
After tears pass over the anterior surface of the eyeball, where does it go?
Enters two small openings called lacrimal puncta
What are the accessory structures of the eye?
Lacrima apparatus Extrinsic eye muscles Eyebrows Eyelashes Eyelids
What is the conjunctiva composed of?
Non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium with goblet cells, supported by areolar connective tissue
After tears pass into the lacrimal puncta , which 2 ducts does it pass into?
The superior and inferior lacrimal canaculi
Where does the lacrimal canaculi lead to?
Into the lacrimal sac within the lacrimal fossa.
What happens after lacrimal fluid enters the lacrimal sac?
Flows through the nasolacrimal duct which carries the lacrimal fluid to the nasal cavity inferior to the nasal concha, where it mixes with mucous
What fibers supply the lacrimal glands?
Parasympathetic fibers of the facial (VII) nerves
What purpose does lacrimal fluid serve for the eye?
Protects, cleans, lubricates and moistens the eyeball