Week 11 Flashcards
What is temperature homeostasis controlled by?
the thermoregulatory centre in the hypothalamus
Describe the thermoreceptors
2 sets
receptors in hypothalamus measures temperature of blood passing through brain (core temperature)
receptors in skin measures external temperature
What is the body’s response in there is a low core temperature?
vasoconstriction
increased metabolic rate
shivering
hair raised
What is the body’s response if there is a high core temperature?
vasodilation
decreased metabolic rate
sweating hair lowered
What is pyrexia?
also known as fever
any elevation of the body temperature above normal
Defensive mechanism to fight infection
Describe the mechanism of pyrexia
When bacteria or viruses damage body tissue, WBCs secrete pyrogens
Pyrogens are carried in the blood to the hypothalamus
they inhibit the heat-sensing neurons and excite the cold-sensing neurones
The hypothalamic thermostat “set-point” is raised
What are the high temperatures in pyrexia thought to achieve?
stimulate leukocyte activity
may directly kill or inhibit the growth of some viruses and bacteria
Describe paracetamol
Also known as acetaminophen
small molecule
not NSAID
no anti-inflammatory properties
describe how paracetamol is thought to work?
acts directly on the CNS, increasing pain thresholds by inhibiting cyclooxygenases, COX1, COX2 and COX3 - enzymes involved in prostaglandin synthesis
antipyretic properties due to effects on the heat-regulating centres of the hypothalamus resulting in peripheral vasodilation, sweating and hence heat dissipation
Describe the external ear
Extending from the side of the head is the pinna (auricle)
canal leading inwards is external acoustic meatus
canal covered in epithelium, some of which contain hair and modified sweat glands producing cerumen
Describe the tympanic membrane
separates the external acoustic meatus form the middle ear
Connective tissue core lined with epithelium on the outside and mucous membrane on the inside
Attaches to the malleus and the umbo of the tympanic membrane
Describe the middle ear
malleus, incus, stapes
stapes attached to the lateral wall of the internal ear at the oval window
middle ear muscles
Describe the inner ear
Vestibular apparatus - sensory structures for balance and head movements
cochlea- contains sensory epithelium for hearing, the organ of corti
Describe the amplification of sound that occurs in the ear
pinna acts as directional filter, amplifying sounds from some directions more than others
The pinna and the ear canal increase the sound pressure level by up to 20dB
Since the area of the tympanic membrane is greater than the of the footplate at the oval window sound is further amplified by about 25dB
Describe how vibrations get into the cochlea
oval window faces into the vestibule
vestibule contains sensory epithelia for vestibular apparatus
vestibule leads into the scala vestibuli. Waves of pressure pass through the scala vestibuli to and back out through the scala tympani, terminating at the round window
Describe the scala media
organ of corti - sensory epithelium containing hair cells
stria vascular - regulates ionic and metabolic environment of the scala media
Describe resonant frequency
objects vibrate most strongly at their resonant frequency
the mass and stiffness of an object determines its resonant frequency
resonant frequency goes up with increasing stiffness and down with increasing mass
What mass and stiffness would a high frequency sound resonate best in?
stiff and light
What mass and stiffness would a low frequency sound resonate best in
flexible and bendy
Describe the basilar membrane
stiff and light at one end
flexible and heavy at the other
thus its resonant frequency varies over its length
Populated by “hair cells”