Ch. 7.7 Special Senses Key Terms
what is Aqueous humor
A clear, watery fluid that fills the space between the cornea and iris. It helps maintain the forward curvature of the eyeball and refracts light rays.
what is Choroid coat
The middle layer of the eye that is interlaced with many blood vessels that nourish the eyes.
what is Conjunctiva
A mucous membrane that lines the eyelids and covers the front of the eye, providing additional protection and lubrication.
what is Cornea
A circular, transparent part of the front of the sclera that allows light rays to enter the eye.
what is Iris
The colored portion of the eye, located behind the cornea on the front of the choroid coat. It contains two muscles that control the size of the pupil.
what is Lacrimal glands:
Glands in the eye that produce tears, which constantly moisten and cleanse the eye.
what is Lens
A circular structure located behind the pupil that refracts (bends) light rays so they focus on the retina.
what are Pupil
The opening in the center of the iris.
what are Refracts
A term that means to bend light rays.
what is Retina
The innermost layer of the eye, made of many layers of nerve cells (cones and rods) which transmit light impulses to the optic nerve.
what is Sclera
The outermost layer of the eye, made of tough connective tissue, frequently called the "white" of the eye. It maintains the shape of the eye.
waht is Vitreous humor
The jellylike substance that fills the area behind the lens. It helps maintain the shape of the eyeball and also refracts light ray
waht is Auditory canal
Also called the external auditory meatus, this canal leads from the pinna to the tympanic membrane (eardrum).
what is Auricle
The visible part of the ear, which is elastic cartilage covered by skin.
what is Cochlea
Shaped like a snail's shell, it contains delicate, hairlike mechanoreceptor cells which compose the organ of Corti.
what is Eustachian tube
A tube connecting the middle ear to the pharynx (throat) that allows air to enter and helps equalize air pressure on both sides of the tympanic membrane.
what is Organ of Corti
A receptor of sound waves, composed of hairlike mechanoreceptor cells inside the cochlea.
what is Ossicles
The three small bones in the middle ear: the malleus, the incus, and the stapes. They transmit sound waves from the tympanic membrane to the inner ear.
waht is Pinna
See auricle.
what isSemicircular canals
Located in the inner ear, they contain liquid and hairlike cells that help maintain our sense of balance and equilibrium.
what is Tympanic membrane
The eardrum; it separates the outer ear from the middle ear and vibrates when sound waves hit it.
what is Vestibule
The first section of the inner ear, which acts as the entrance to the cochlea and semicircular canals.