15. The Special Senses

Displacement of stereocilia toward the kinocilium of a hair cell (a) produces a depolarization of the membrane, (b) produces a hyperpolarization of the membrane, (c) decreases the membrane permeability to sodium ions, (d) increases the membrane permeability to potassium ions, (e) does not affect the membrane potential of the cell.

Damage to the ampullary cupula of the lateral semicircular duct would interfere with the perception of (a) the direction of gravitational pull, (b) linear acceleration, (c) horizontal rotation of the head, (d) vertical rotation of the head, (e) angular rotation of the head.

The malleus, incus, and stapes are the tiny bones located in the (a) external ear, (b) middle ear, (c) internal ear, (d) membranous labyrinth.

What are the three auditory ossicles in the middle ear, and what are their functions?

The basic receptors in the internal ear are the (a) utricles, (b) saccules, (c) hair cells, (d) supporting cells, (e) ampullae.

Multiple ChoiceMore than one choice may apply.Sounds entering the external acoustic meatus are eventually converted to nerve impulses via a chain of events includinga. vibration of the eardrum.b. vibratory motion of the ossicles against the oval window.c. stimulation of hair cells in the spiral organ of Corti.d. resonance of the cupula.

Multiple ChoiceMore than one choice may apply.Which of the following are paired incorrectly?a. Cochlear duct—cupulab. Vestibule—maculac. Ampulla—otolithsd. Semicircular duct—ampulla

Multiple ChoiceMore than one choice may apply.Movement of which structure triggers bending of hairs of the hair cells in the spiral organ of Corti?a. b. c. d.

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

Sylvia Marcus, age 70, recently had surgery for otosclerosis. The operation was a failure and did not improve her condition. What was the purpose of the surgery, and exactly what was it trying to accomplish?

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.

Otoliths (ear stones) area. a cause of deafness,b. a type of hearing aid,c. important in equilibrium,d. the rock-hard petrous part of the temporal bones.

The structure that allows pressure in the middle ear to be equalized with atmospheric pressure is thea. pinna,b. pharyngotympanic tube,c. tympanic membrane,d. oval window.

Which of the following is important in maintaining the balance of the body?a. visual cues,b. semicircular canals,c. the saccule,d. proprioceptors,e. all of these.

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?