Week 1: Special Senses Flashcards
What are the 3 types of cells that comprise the olfactory epithelium?
Olfactory receptor cells
Supporting cells
Basal cells
What is the function of the olfactory receptor cells?
They are first order neurons and there axons project into the olfactory bulb.
What is the function of the supporting cells?
Detoxify chemicals & provide support and nourishment.
What is the function of basal cells?
Divide to produce new olfactory receptor cells.
Describe the physiology of the olfactory pathway.
Bundles of axons which pass into the cribriform plate of the ethmoid bone. They also form the left and right olfactory nerves.
What are the different pathways of axons in the olfactory tract?
The axons synapse on olfactory bulb neurons which forms the olfactory tract.
What are the three types of cells which comprise the tastebuds?
Circumvallate - 100-300 taste buds
Fungiform - mushroom shaped 5 taste buds
Foliate - these degenerate in early childhood
Describe the physiology of gustation
Tastants dissolve in saliva and bind to gustatory hairs, which releases a neurotransmitter that triggers an action potential.
What is the “flow of tears”?
Lacrimal gland Lacrimal ducts Superior or inferior lacrimal canal Lacrimal sac Nasolacrimal duct Nasal cavity
This group produces and drains lacrimal fluid (tears)
What are the key features of the 3 layers of the eyeball?
Fibrous tunic
Middle avascular tunic
Retina
Define refraction
The bending of light rays traveling from one transparent substance into another.
Describe the visual pathway
Ganglion cells generate action potentials. The axons of these cells provide an output from the retina to the brain. They exit the eyeball as the optic nerve.
What are the 3 major regions of the ear?
External - collects and channels sound waves
Middle - conveys sound vibrations to the oval window
Internal - hearing & equilibrium
What is the “flow of tears”?
Lacrimal gland Lacrimal ducts Superior or inferior lacrimal canal Lacrimal sac Nasolacrimal duct Nasal cavity
This group produces and drains lacrimal fluid (tears)
What are the key features of the 3 layers of the eyeball?
Fibrous tunic
Middle avascular tunic
Retina
Define refraction
The bending of light rays traveling from one transparent substance into another.
Describe the visual pathway
Ganglion cells generate action potentials. The axons of these cells provide an output from the retina to the brain. They exit the eyeball as the optic nerve.
What are the 3 major regions of the ear?
External - collects and channels sound waves
Middle - conveys sound vibrations to the oval window
Internal - hearing & equilibrium
What is the “flow of tears”?
Lacrimal gland Lacrimal ducts Superior or inferior lacrimal canal Lacrimal sac Nasolacrimal duct Nasal cavity
This group produces and drains lacrimal fluid (tears)
What are the key features of the 3 layers of the eyeball?
Fibrous tunic
Middle avascular tunic
Retina
Define refraction
The bending of light rays traveling from one transparent substance into another.
Describe the visual pathway
Ganglion cells generate action potentials. The axons of these cells provide an output from the retina to the brain. They exit the eyeball as the optic nerve.
What are the 3 major regions of the ear?
External - collects and channels sound waves
Middle - conveys sound vibrations to the oval window
Internal - hearing & equilibrium
Information from balance receptors goes where?
Medulla oblongata & pons
