Taste and Olfaction Lecture

Question 1

Chemical Senses

Answer 1

1. Smell “olfaction”: correalates with taste
2. Taste “gustatory sense”: cells on the tongue “taste buds”
   - taste buds elicit AP > converted into facial nerves or glossopharyngeal (brings taste sensation into the brain) > thalamus >insula (interpretation of flavor, sour/sweet/spicy)

Question 2

Olfactory Cilia

Answer 2

Olfactory cilia: have receptors for chemicals
(ex. something burning or rose)
olfa. cilia > olfa. nose > frontal lobe >
- As aging occurs theres a loss olfactory cilia (decreased in smell)

Question 3

Loss of Taste and Smell:

Answer 3

To compensate older people will add extra salt and sugar to “taste” their food
- creates issues

Question 4

Ears are for what?

Answer 4

Hearing and equilibrium

Question 5

Ear Anatomy

Answer 5

1. External Ear
2. Middle Ear
3. Internal Ear

Question 6

(1) External Ear Anatomy

Answer 6

1. Auricle (outer part of the ear, what we see): made up of elastic cartilage
   - purpose to funnel sound waves to the external acoustic meatus
2. Tympanic Membrane aka “ear drum”: thin like made of C.T, covered by epithelial, cone shape
   - vibrates to transfer sound waves into the malleus
   - it is mitotic so if damaged it can be regrown

Question 7

What does the external acoustic meatus secrete?

Answer 7

it is LINED by ceruminous glands which secrete cerumen or aka ear wax
- ear wax function is to repel insects + traps debris

Question 8

(2) Middle Ear Anatomy “tympanic membrane”

Answer 8

: Air filled cavity
1. Auditory Ossicles: malleus > incus > stapes
- Otosclerosis; loss of conduction due to joint ^ deterioration between the ossicles, corrects by hearing aids (amplifies sound waves)
2* middle ear connects to the pharynx via ‘eustachian tube’*
- Otitis Media; middle ear infection due to a sore throat, fluid entering the air filled cavity causing hearing loss
—common in children bc the eustachian tube is more horizontal

3. Muscles: they contract when there is a loud sound by limiting vibration of the ossicles to minimize hearing damage
   - Tensor Tympani Muscle: attaches to the malleus
   - Stapedius; attached to the stapes

Question 9

Treatment for frequent Otitis Media

Answer 9

Myringotomy; an incision into the tympanic membrane, inserting a tube allowing drainage
- have tight fitting earplugs to prevent infection

Question 10

(3) Internal Ear aka “labyrinth”

Answer 10

: made of bony labyrinth + membranous labyrinth
1. Vestibule: central bony part to the labyrinth made up of saccule + utricle aka = static equilibrium (balance when stationary)

2. Semicircular canal: made up 3 canals, involved with dynamic equilibrium (balance when moving)
3. Cochlea aka spiral organ: involved with hearing