Anatomy and Physiology - The Sensory System

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Study GuideAnatomy and PhysiologyThe Sensory System1.Quiz: Sensory Receptors1. QuestionSensory receptors are often the __________ of neurons.Answer Choices• axons• somas• dendritesCorrect AnswerdendritesWhy This Is CorrectSensory receptors usually detect a stimulus at thedendrites(receiving end) of a neuron.The dendrites collect the information and start the nerve signal.2. QuestionWhich sensory receptors detect changes in carbon dioxide levels in the blood?Answer Choices• chemoreceptors• exteroceptors• encapsulated receptors

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Study GuideCorrect AnswerchemoreceptorsWhy This Is CorrectChemoreceptorsdetect chemical changes in the body, including levels of:carbon dioxide (CO)oxygen (O)pH changesThese help regulate breathing and homeostasis.3. QuestionWhich classifications of sensory receptors could be the same?Answer Choices• mechanoreceptors and exteroceptors• thermoreceptors and interoceptors• photoreceptors and proprioceptorsCorrect Answerthermoreceptors and interoceptorsWhy This Is CorrectA receptor can be classified intwo ways at the same time:bytype of stimulus(like thermo = temperature)bylocation(like interoceptors = inside the body)Sothermoreceptorsthat monitor internal body temperature can also beinteroceptors.

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Study Guide2.The Somatic Senses (General Senses)Thesomatic senses(also calledgeneral senses) help your body collect information about:cutaneous sensations→ sensations felt on the skin surfaceproprioceptive sensations→ body position and movement awarenessIn simple words:Somatic senses help you feeltouch, pressure, temperature, pain, and also help you knowwhereyour body parts are, even with your eyes closed.Types of Stimuli Detected by Somatic SensesSomatic senses detect four main kinds of stimuli:1.Tactile stimuli(touch and pressure)2.Thermal stimuli(heat and cold)3.Pain stimuli4.Proprioceptive stimuli(position and movement)1. Tactile Stimuli (Touch and Pressure)Tactile sensations are detected bymechanoreceptors(receptors that respond to physical pressure,stretching, or movement).These receptors allow you to feel:touchpressureA. Merkel DiscsFunction: detectsurface pressure (light touch)Type: receptors withfree nerve endings

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Study GuideLocation:deep in the epidermisExample: feeling gentle pressure when something touches your skin lightly.B. Root Hair PlexusesFunction: detectmovement of hairType: receptors withfree nerve endingsLocation: aroundhair folliclesExample: feeling a tiny insect move across your arm hair.C. Corpuscles of Touch (Meissner’s Corpuscles)Function: detectsurface pressure (light touch)Type: receptors withencapsulated nerve endingsLocation: in thedermal papillae, close to the skin surfaceExample: feeling a soft tap or gentle rubbing sensation.D. Pacinian CorpusclesFunction: detectdeep pressureType:encapsulated nerve receptorsLocation: in thesubcutaneous layer(below the skin)Example: feeling strong pressure when you press firmly on your skin.2. Thermal Stimuli (Heat and Cold)Thermal sensations are detected by:thermoreceptorsType:free nerve endings

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Study GuideThey respond to:heatcold3. Pain StimuliPain sensations are detected by:nociceptorsType:free nerve endingsThese help you detect potentially harmful stimuli (like sharp objects or extreme temperatures).4. Proprioceptive Stimuli (Body Position Sense)Proprioception helps you sense:body positionmovementmuscle tensionEven without looking.These sensations are detected bymechanoreceptorsfound mainly in muscles, tendons, and joints.A. Muscle SpindlesFunction: detect changes inmuscle stretch/lengthLocation: insideskeletal musclesThey consist of:specialized skeletal muscle fibersenclosed in a spindle-shaped connective tissue capsule

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Study GuideB. Golgi Tendon OrgansFunction: detecttensionwhere muscle pulls on tendonLocation: at thejunction of tendons and musclesC. Joint Kinesthetic ReceptorsFunction: detect movement and position changes in jointsLocation: insynovial joints3.Quiz: The Somatic Senses1. QuestionWhich sensory receptors are associated with the joints of the body?Answer Choices• interoceptors• exteroceptors• proprioceptorsCorrect AnswerproprioceptorsWhy This Is CorrectProprioceptorsare found injoints, muscles, and tendons.They help the brain know body position and movement (like where your arm is without looking).2. QuestionWhich sensory receptors detect deep pressure (not surface pressure)?

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Study GuideAnswer Choices• Merkel discs• Pacinian corpuscles• Meissner’s corpusclesCorrect AnswerPacinian corpusclesWhy This Is CorrectPacinian corpusclesare located deeper in the skin and detectdeep pressure and vibration.Meissner’s corpuscles= light touch (surface)Merkel discs= light pressure/texture (surface)4.Vision (How the Eye Works)Vision allows us to detect light and turn it into information the brain can understand. The eye is like aliving camerait collects light, focuses it, and sends signals to the brain so we can “see” the world.

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Study GuideFigure1.Details of the eye and the retina.4.1Accessory Organs That Support the EyeThe eye is protected and supported by several accessory structures:1. EyebrowsEyebrows:shade the eyeshelp stop sweat from the forehead from running into the eyes

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Study Guide2. Eyelids (Palpebrae)Eyelids:protect the eyeballshade the eyehelp lubricate the surfaceThe upper eyelid is lifted by the muscle:levator palpebrae superiorisEach eyelid is strengthened internally by connective tissue called the:tarsal plateInside the tarsal plate are:tarsal (Meibomian) glandsThese glands secrete oil-like substances that prevent the eyelids from sticking together.The inner lining of the eyelid is the:conjunctivaThis is a mucous membrane that:produces lubricating secretionsfolds back and continues onto the white part of the eye3. EyelashesEyelashes protect the eyeball.Nerve endings at the base of eyelash hairs create a reflex action:if eyelashes are touched, eyelids close automatically.

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Study Guide4. Lacrimal Apparatus (Tears)The lacrimal system makes and drains tears.Tears (lacrimal fluid) are produced by thelacrimal glands, located above each eye (toward thelateral side).Tear flow pathway:1.Tears spread across the eyeball2.Enter two small openings calledlacrimal puncta3.Travel through lacrimal canals → into thelacrimal sac4.Drain through thenasolacrimal duct5.Enter thenasal cavityTears contain:antibodieslysozyme(an enzyme that destroys bacteria)5. Extrinsic Eye MusclesSix extrinsic muscles control eyeball movement:lateral rectusmedial rectussuperior rectusinferior rectussuperior obliqueinferior obliqueThese provide fine motor control of eye movement.
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