CLASSWORK : Ch. 7.7 Special Senses Key Terms
aqueous humor
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."
auditory canal
auditory canal: "a tube that connects the outer ear to the eardrum" (tympanic membrane). [1]
auricle
auricle: The external part of the ear, often referred to as the pinna, which collects sound waves and channels them into the auditory canal.
choroid coat
choroid coat: The "middle layer of the eye... interlaced with many blood vessels that nourish the eyes."
cochlea
cochlea: A "spiral-shaped cavity of the inner ear that contains the organ of Corti and converts sound vibrations into nerve impulses."
conjunctiva
conjunctiva: "A mucous membrane... lines the eyelids and covers the front of the eye to provide additional protection and lubrication."
cornea
cornea: "a circular, transparent part of the front of the sclera. It allows light rays to enter the eye."
eustachian tube
eustachian tube: A "narrow tube that connects the middle ear to the back of the nose and equalizes the pressure between the middle ear and the atmosphere." [3]
iris
iris: The "colored portion of the eye... located behind the cornea on the front of the choroid coat."
lacrimal glands
lacrimal glands: Glands "in the eye [that] produce tears, which constantly moisten and cleanse the eye."
lens
lens: "a circular structure located behind the pupil and suspended in position by ligaments. It refracts (bends) light rays so the rays focus on the retina."
organ of Corti
organ of Corti: The "sensory organ of hearing located in the cochlea" of the inner ear. [4]
ossicles
ossicles: The "three small bones in the middle ear (the hammer, anvil, and stirrup) that amplify and transmit sound vibrations from the eardrum to the inner ear." [5]
pinna
pinna: The "outer ear... shaped to collect sound waves and direct them into the ear canal." [6] (Also referred to as the auricle).
pupil
pupil: "The opening in the center of the iris... The iris contains two muscles, which control the size of the pupil and regulate the amount of light entering the eye."
refracts
refracts: "bends light rays so the rays focus on the retina."
retina
retina: The "innermost layer of the eye... made of many layers of nerve cells, which transmit the light impulses to the optic nerve."
sclera
sclera: The "outermost layer... [of] tough connective tissue... frequently referred to as the 'white' of the eye. The sclera maintains the shape of the eye."
semicircular canals
semicircular canals: Three "tiny, fluid-filled tubes in your inner ear that help you keep your balance." [7]
tympanic membrane
tympanic membrane: "The eardrum... a thin membrane that separates the outer ear from the middle ear and vibrates in response to sound waves." [8]
vestibule
vestibule: The central part of the inner ear, located between the cochlea and the semicircular canals, which "helps maintain balance by detecting changes in gravity and linear acceleration." [9]
vitreous humor
vitreous humor: "The jellylike substance that fills the area behind the lens. It helps maintain the shape of the eyeball and also refracts light rays."