15. The Special Senses

Which of the following are paired incorrectly?

a. Cochlear duct—cupula

b. Vestibule—macula

c. Ampulla—otoliths

d. Semicircular duct—ampulla

Olfactory nerve filaments are found

a. In the optic bulbs

b. Passing through the cribriform plate of the ethmoid bone

c. In the optic tracts

d. In the olfactory cortex

In an olfactory neuron, the binding of a(n) ______ to its membrane receptor triggers a(n) _______ potential in the axons of the ______ nerve.

Name the structures of the outer, middle, and inner ears, and give the general function of each structure and each group of structures.

Explain what would happen to your sense of smell if there were no basal cells present in the olfactory epithelium.

Tears normally flow from the lacrimal sac into the:

a. Lacrimal gland

b. Lacrimal canaliculi

c. Lacrimal puncta

d. Nasolacrimal duct

Mark the following statements as true or false. If a statement is false, correct it to make a true statement.

The spiral organ is located in the scala tympani.

Mark the following statements as true or false. If a statement is false, correct it to make a true statement.

The incus is connected to the tympanic membrane.

Sound waves hitting the eardrum set it into motion. Trace the pathway of vibrations from the eardrum to the spiral organ of Corti, where the hair cells are stimulated.

Alkaloids excite gustatory hairs mostly at the:

a. Tip of the tongue

b. Back of the tongue

c. Vallate papillae

d. Fungiform papillae

Juan tells his physician that he has been feeling dizzy, especially when he closes his eyes. He is asked to stand with his feet together and arms extended forward. As long as he keeps his eyes open, he exhibits very little movement. But when he closes his eyes, his body begins to sway a great deal, and his arms tend to drift together toward the left side of his body. Why does this occur?

Which of the following statements does not correctly describe the spiral organ?

a. Sounds of high frequency stimulate hair cells at the basal end.

b. The 'hairs' of the receptor cells are embedded in the tectorial membrane.

c. The basilar membrane acts as a resonator.

d. The more numerous outer hair cells are largely responsible for our perception of sound.

Pitch is to frequency of sound as loudness is to

a. Quality

b. Intensity

c. Overtones

d. All of these