MODULE 11

THE SENSE ORGANS

The special senses respond to stimuli involved in vision, hearing, balance, smell, and taste. A variety of
receptors, housed in special sense organs such as the eye, ear, and nose, help detect stimuli in your
surroundings. Without your special senses, you could not smell or taste your favorite food, appreciate
colors, or hear your favorite song.
In this module, we will particularly explore two (2) of the most special sense organs of the body, namely
the eye, including vision, and the ear, which is responsible for hearing and equilibrium.

THE EYE AND VISION

The vision, one of the special senses, relies on a very complex receptor apparatus referred to as
the eye. Vision relies on a variety of positioning and focusing mechanisms to form an image in
the correct spot on the light-sensitive receptor cells inside the eye.
These mechanisms involve muscles, lenses, and other structures that are all part of the visual
apparatus.

Learning Objectives

When you finish this exercise, you should be able to

1. Identify and describe the significant features of the eye

2. Explain the essential functions of the eye and its structures.
3. Demonstrate visual function using standard tests

The HUMAN EYE

The human eye is an organ that reacts to light and allows vision. Rod and cone cells in the retina
allow conscious light perception and vision, including color differentiation and the perception of
depth. The eye is part of the sensory nervous system.
Nearly 70 percent of all sensory receptors in the body are in the eyes. The optic tracts that carry
information from the eyes to the brain are massive bundles, containing over a million nerve
fibers. We rely heavily on our sight and often have to “see it to believe.”

PARTS OF THE EYE

Lacrimal Apparatus

The lacrimal apparatus is the physiological system containing the orbital structures
for tear production and drainage.
It consists of: The lacrimal gland, which secretes the tears, and its excretory ducts, which convey the
fluid to the surface of the human eye; it is a serious gland located in the lacrimal fossa.