Lesson 6: SENSORY SYSTEM

Auditory Sense: How We Hear Organ of Corti: Auditory Receptor

 Sound waves emanating from a source are the
ones that trigger the auditory sensation.
 The sense organ for our sense of hearing is the
ear and the stimulus to which it is sensitive to in
the form of sound waves caused by the
vibration of airwaves.
The brain center: Primary Auditory Area
The ear is composed of three parts:
1. Outer Ear
2. Middle Ear
3. Inner Ear
 Within the cochlea lies the organ of corti.
 Within the organ of corti are the hair cells which
upon activation transduce the sound waves into
neural impulses by the process of mechano
transduction.
1. Primary Auditory Area: Superior Temporal
Gyrus (41)
- Specifically called as transverse temporal gyrus
of Heschl.

2. Secondary Auditory Area: Postero-superior

Outer Ear portion of the temporal lobe (42)
3. Tertiary Auditory Area: Posteroinferior part of
The outer ear is composed of: the temporal lobe (21)
1. Pinna – it is the cartilage projection of the skull Primary auditory area – “I hear a voice”
which functions to catch the sound waves.
2. Auditory Canal/External Meatus - it is the hole Secondary auditory area and Tertiary auditory area – “I
3. where the pinna is attached to the head. The hear the angry voice of my father in the receiving room”
sound waves travel down the auditory canal to
the eardrum.
4. Eardrum/Tympanic Membrane - it is the hole Auditory Pathway
where the pinna is attached to the head. The
sound waves travel down the auditory canal to
the eardrum.

Middle Ear

The outer ear is composed of:

1. Malleus/Hammer -
2. Incus/Anvil
3. Stapes/Stirrup

Inner Ear Chemical Senses: How Well Smell and Taste

The inner ear is composed of: The olfactory and gustatory senses are taken together
1. Oval Window - it is a membrane that cover the since both sensory systems are triggered by chemical
inner ear. The vibrations on the oval window substances.
send movement through the fluid-filled cavity of
the cochlea.
2. Cochlea – is a bony tube, curled like a snail’s OLFACTORY RECEPTOR CELLS
shell, and filled with fluid.
The olfactory receptor cells are found in the upper
3. Semicircular Canals - play a key role in
nasal cavity embedded in the olfactory mucosa. The
maintaining a sense of balance.
axons of these receptor cells enter the olfactory bulbs
which contain neurons that transmit olfactory signals to
the brain through the olfactory tract.
The axons of the olfactory receptor cell in the upper
part of the nose form the olfactory nerve.
Olfactory Pathway
1. Odor molecules are drawn to the olfactory cleft
2. They then dissolve in a layer of mucus
membrane known as the olfactory epithelium
3. Attach to hair- like structures called cilia.
4. The odor molecules then bind with the receptor
cells which then generate a signal, or impluse
5. Theses signals are passed a long the olfactory
nerve
6. They coverage on the dges of the olfactory
bulb, a structure on the frontal lobe of the
brain.
7. Amygdala and Piriform Cortex
GUSTATORY RECEPTOR CELLS
 The small protuberances on the surface of the
tongue are called papillae.
 The taste buds are located around these
papillae.
Fiber Tracts: The Facial, Glossopharyngeal and Vagus
Nerves for Gustatory Sensation
Fiber Tracts:
There are three cranial nerves that transmit gustatory
signals:
Facial Nerve – transmits gustatory signals from the
anterior 2/3 of the tongue
Glossopharyngeal Nerve – transmits gustatory signals
from the posterior 1/3 of the tongue
Vagus Nerve – conveys gustatory signals from the
epiglottis
The Brain Centers: Primary Olfactory & Gustatory
Areas
The olfactory tract relays olfactory information to
several structures in the medial temporal lobe such as
the amygdala and the piriform cortex.
As regards the gustatory sensation, the facial nerve,
glossopharyngeal nerve, and the vagus nerve from
synaptic connections with the solitary nucleus located in
the medulla
From the medulla > Thalamus > Primary gustatory area
located in the parietal lobe
Skin Sensation
The organ involved in the sense of touch is the skin. The
skin is composed of three layers:
 Epidermis - The epidermis is composed of the
outermost layer of the skin. It forms a protective
barrier over the body's surface, responsible for
keeping water in the body and preventing
pathogens from entering. It also helps the skin
regulate body temperature.
 Dermis - The dermis is the layer of skin beneath
the epidermis that consists of connective tissue
and cushions the body from stress and strain.
The dermis provides tensile strength and
elasticity to the skin.
  Hypodermis - The hypodermis is not part of the
skin, and lies below the dermis. Its purpose is to
attach the skin to underlying bone and muscle
as well as supplying it with blood vessels and
nerves.

Sensory Receptors

1. Mechanoreceptors respond to physical touch or

movement.
2. Nociceptors respond to damage to body tissues
leading to pain perception.
3. Thermoreceptors respond to temperature,
either heat, cold or both.