Hubert: Gould's Pathophysiology for the Health Professions, 6th

Edition

Chapter 15: Disorders of the Eyes, Ears and Other Sensory Organs

Answer Key to Study Questions

1. Mechanoreceptors—stimulated by mechanical force (touch, pressure)

Chemoreceptors—activated by change in chemical concentration (taste, smell)
Thermoreceptors—stimulated by temperature change (hot and cold)
Photoreceptors—respond to light (sight)
Nociceptors—respond to tissue damage (pain)
Osmoreceptors—detect changes in osmotic pressure of body fluids
2. The sclera functions as a tough protective covering of the eyeball; the cornea is a
transparent covering, allowing passage of light rays into the pupil; the lens refracts
light rays to provide an accurate image on the retina; the choroid is a vascular structure
that provides nutrients to the retina, and pigment in it absorbs light rays; the ciliary
process secretes aqueous humor.
3. Acute glaucoma causes severe eye pain, photophobia, a cloudy bulging cornea, and
increased intraocular pressure. Chronic glaucoma causes loss of peripheral vision,
cupping of the optic disc, and increased intraocular pressure. Cataract causes blurred
vision. Detached retina causes an expanding dark area in one part of the visual field
and flashing lights.
4. Sound is heard when an air wave enters the external auditory meatus; the tympanic
membrane vibrates; ossicles (malleus, incus, stapes) vibrate; the oval window vibrates;
waves in the fluids (endolymph and perilymph) and movements of the membranes in
the cochlea stimulate the hair cells or nerve receptors in the organ of Corti, which
converts sound waves to electrical impulses in the auditory branch of cranial nerve
VIII; the impulses enter the brainstem and divide; half the nerve fibers go to the
auditory area in the temporal lobe on the same side, and half go to the contralateral
temporal lobe; impulses are received in the auditory cortex and interpreted in the
auditory association area.
5. Adhesions prevent vibration of the tympanic membrane or ossicles, or the tympanic
membrane ruptures and scar tissue prevents vibration.
6. Excess fluid affects movement of hair cells in both the cochlea and semicircular canals.

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