Chap. 16 Special Senses

Cochlea

Spiral (snail) shaped chamber or cavity handling hearing

Tympanic membrane

Thin membrane separating the ear canal from the middle ear

Cornea

Transparent portion of the eye covering the pupil and iris

Sclera

White of the eye

Pinna (Auricle)

cartilaginous structure the main function of which is to collect sound waves

Semicircular canals

composed of three canals: anterior(superior), posterior, lateral (horizontal)

Posterior Cavity

contains gelatinous vitreous body or humor, helps stabilize the shape

Gustatory cells:

have taste hairs extending through the taste pore and containing binding receptors

Circumvallate

papillae containing the most taste buds (100 250)

Iris

portion of the eye that provides its color and controls the pupil's diameter

Aqueous humor

produced by the ciliary body, maintains intraocular pressure and provides nutrients

Olfactory receptor cells

responsible for binding the odorant

Palpebrae

thin fold of skin that covers and protects our eyes from surrounding air particles, acting like windshield wipers

Choroid

vascular layer sandwiched between the sclera and the retina