Special Sense

ANATOMY
(special sense)
SYLLABUS
Vision (P. 863)
Eye ball (P. 863)
Development and associated anomalies
Tunics of eyeball and their blood supply
Microscopic structure of cornea and retina
Chambers of the eyeball and circulation of aqueous humor
Extraocular muscles (P. 868)
Attachments, nerve supply and actions
Hearing (P. 869)
Ear and parts (P. 869)
External ear (P. 869) (gross features, blood supply, nerve supply) VIII
Middle ear (P. 871)(tympanic cavity): parts, boundaries and content; phearyngo-tympanic (Eustachian) tube
Internal ear (P. 875): names of its parts only.
Smell
External nose, parts of the nasal cavity with particular reference to olfactory epithelium
Taste
Taste Buds: location and microscopic structure
Surface anatomy
Middle meningeal artery
Radiological anatomy
Angiogram of cerebral arteries

FAST TRACK BASIC SCIENCE MBBS -861-

 Anatomy

VIII

-862- FAST TRACK BASIC SCIENCE MBBS

 Special Sense

SPECIAL SENSE – ANATOMY

Eyeball
EYE
 Eyeball is organ of sight which functionally
Past Questions:
resembles camera.
1. Describe the iris under following headings:
 It is spherical 24 mm in diameter and occupies the
(1+2+2=5) [09 Dec] anterior 1/3rd of orbital cavity.
a. Position  Optical axis: A line joining anterior pole of eye on
b. Blood supply and Nerve supply cornea to posterior pole on sclera, is optical axis.
c. Source of development and muscles of iris  Visual axis: A line joining anterior pole of eye to
2. Describe the iris with its position structure, blood fovea centralis on retina slightly lateral to
supply and nerve supply. What is the source of posterior pole is visual axis.
development of the muscles of the iris?  Eyeball is surrounded by three tunics or Coat:
(5) [04 Nov] i. Outer tunic: Sclera & Cornea (Fibrous coat)
3. Mention briefly the microscopic structure, blood ii. Intermediate tunic: Choroid, ciliary body and
supply nerve supply and sources of development iris (Pigmented and Vascular)
of iris. (5) [03 July]
iii. Inner tunic: Retina (Nervous coat)
4. Describe the iris of the eye and mention its
1. Outer tunic VIII
structures including intrinsic muscles, blood
 It is fibrous and consists of sclera and cornea.
supply and nerve supply. (5) [03 Nov]
A. Sclera:
5. Name the refractive media present in the eye
- Sclera (Skleros = hard) is opaque and forms
ball. (1) [03 Nov]
posterior (5/6)th of eyeball.
6. Write briefly on the microscopic anatomy and - Composed of dense fibrous tissue which is firm
the development of cornea. & maintains shape of eyeball.
[2+2=4] [03 Nov] - It is thickest behind near entrance of optic
nerve but weakest part, however thinnest
7. Adductors of the eyeball with their nerve supply
about 6mm behind sclero-corneal junction.
(3) [06 June] - Outer surface is white and smooth; it is
8. Retina (3) [03 June] covered by Tenon’s capsule.
9. Microscopic structures of retina (3)[09 June] - Anterior part is covered by conjunctiva through
which white part can be seen.
10.Development and blood supply of retina
- Inner surface is brown and grooved of ciliary
(3)[07 July] nerves and vessel.
Vision - Sclera is pierced by following structures: Optic
nerve, central artery & vein of retina, posterior
 Vision is the sense of sight appreciated through retina
ciliary nerves & vessels, anterior ciliary arteries.
of the eyeball and is one of the five special senses.

FAST TRACK BASIC SCIENCE MBBS -863-

 Anatomy
Functions of sclera:
i. Protects & maintains shape of eyeball.
ii. Provides attachment of extra ocular muscles.
iii. Maintains optimal intra ocular pressure
VIII
B. Cornea:
- Sclera is continuous anterior with cornea at
sclero-corneal junction.
- Cornea is more convex than sclera.
- It is separated from iris by a space called
anterior chamber of eye.
- The cornea is avascular and nourished by
lymph which circulates in numeral corneal
spaces, aqueous humour & lacrimal secretion.
Nerve supply:
 Branches of opthalmic nerve (through cilliary
ganglion) & short ciliary nerves.
-864- FAST TRACK
Note:
- The sclera is almost avascular; however, the loose
connective tissue between the conjunctiva and
sclera called as Episclera is vascular.
Note:
- Pain is only sensation aroused from cornea.
Histology:
- Composed of five layers from outside to inwards:
i. Corneal epithelium: Non keratinized
stratified squamous epithelium
ii. Bowman’s membrane (Anterior limiting
membrane): Structure less homogenous layer
iii. Substantia propria: Consists of bundle of
dense collagen fibers
iv. Descemet’s membrane (posterior limiting
membrane): Structure less, acellular
v. Endothelium: Single layer of cuboidal cells.
BASIC SCIENCE MBBS

B. Ciliary body
Applied Aspects:
- Transparency of cornea: Due to absence of blood
vessels and uniform organization of collagen fibers
- Allogenic transplantation of eye means
transplantation of cornea.
C. Iris
2. Middle Coat
A. Choroid (highly vascular layer)
- It is a thin, pigmented layer which separates
the posterior part of sclera from retina.
- Anteriorly, ends at Orra serrata by merging -
ciliary body
- Posteriorly, it is perforated by optic nerve.
- Its outer surface separated from sclera by
supra choroid lamina which is traversed by
ciliary nerves & vessels.
- Its inner surface firmly adherent to the retina.
Structures of Choroid: (From outside inwards)
i. Supra choroid lamina (lamina fusca)
ii. Vascular lamina: Layer of blood vessels (short
posterior ciliary artery)
iii. Capillary lamina (Choroido-capillary layer): Fine
network of capillaries
iv. Basal lamina (membrane of Bruch): Thin,
transparent membrane firmly attached to
retina.
FAST TRACK BASIC SCIENCE MBBS
Special Sense
Function:
a. Provides nutrition to outer layer of retina.
b. Supports retina, absorbs light and prevents
reflection.
- Ciliary body extends as a complete ring from
anterior part of choroid at the Orra serrata of
retina to periphery of iris at sclero-corneal
junction.
- It is thickened part of ureal tract.
- Being thicker in front & thin behind, it is
triangular in cross section.
- Scleral surface of ciliary body contains
unstriped ciliary muscle.
- Posterior part of vitreous surface is black &
smooth (pars plana)
- Anterior part is ridged anteriorly (pars plicata)
to form about 70 ciliary process.
- It provides attachment to suspensory ligament
of lens & peripheral margin of iris.
- Development: Developed from optic cup
VIII
(Outpouching from forebrain vesicle).
- Iris is circular, pigmented and contractile
diaphragm that is immersed in aqueous
humour between the cornea and the lens.
- It forms a circular curtain with an opening in
the center called pupil.
- It divides the anterior segment of eye (i.e.
between lens and cornea) into anterior and
posterior chamber.
- Its peripheral margin is attached to ciliary
body.
Intrinsic muscle of iris:
i. Sphincter pupillae
 Well-developed ring
 Near the pupil
ii. Dilator pupillae
 Ill-defined sheet
 Near posterior surface of iris.
-865-
 Anatomy

Microscopic structure: Veins:

- Iris is composed of stroma of connective tissue - Accompany arteries and drain into vorticose
containing numerous pigmented cells veins.
- Blood vessels and smooth muscles are Nerve supply:
embedded in the stroma.
- Parasympathetic: Sphincter pupillae.
- Posterior surface is lined by double layered
epithelium. - Sympathetic: Dilator pupillae & blood vessels.
- Sphincter pupillae muscle fibers are arranged - Long ciliary nerves: Sensory fibers
circularly around the pupil. 3. Inner tunic (Retina)
- Dilator pupillae muscle fibers run radially.  This is thin, delicate inner layer of the eyeball.
 It is continuous posteriorly with the optic nerve.
 The retina diminishes in thickness from behind
Outer epithelial forward and is divided into optic, ciliary and iridial
layer parts.
Dilator pupillae
muscle  Optic part of the retina contains nervous tissue
Sphincter and is sensitive to the light.
pupillae muscle
 Anterior margin of optic part forms wavy line
Stroma
called orra serrata.
Blood vessels
Inner epithelial
 Beyond the orra serrata, the retina is continued
layer forwards as a thin, non-nervous insensitive layer
that covers ciliary body and iris.
Structures in optic part:
Blood supply of Iris: - Opposite the entrance of optic nerve
(Inferomedial to posterior pole), there is
VIII - At the periphery, a major arterial circle formed circular area known as “Optic disc”
by anastomosis between two long posterior
ciliary arteries and anterior ciliary arteries - The depressed area of optic disc is called
- From major arterial circles passed centripetally “physiological blind spot”.
group of vessels and anastomose close to - At posterior pole, 3mm lateral to optic disc,
pupillary margin to form a minor arterial circle. there is another depression called macula
lutea (yellow spot). It is avascular.
- The centre of macula lutea is fovea centralis. It
is thinnest part of retina. It contains cones only
and is area of maximum acquity of vision.
Histology of Retina (Optic part)
- Layers of retina:
1. Outer pigmented layer
2. Layer of rods & cones
3. External limiting membrane
4. Outer nuclear layer
5. Outer plexiform layer
6. Inner nuclear layer (bipolar cells)
7. Inner plexiform layer
8. Ganglion cell layer
9. Nerve fiber layer
10.Internal limiting membrane
-866- FAST TRACK BASIC SCIENCE MBBS

Blood supply of retina:
- Central artery of retina (End artery)
Chambers of eye ball
 Anterior segment of eyeball between lens &
cornea is divided by iris into anterior & posterior
chambers connecting through pupil.
Circulation of aqueous humour
- Aqueous humour is clear fluid which fills the
space between cornea and lens and nourishes
avascular tissues.
- It is secreted in posterior chamber from
capillaries in capillary process and passes to
anterior chamber through pupil.
- From anterior chamber, it is drained into
anterior ciliary veins through spaces of irido-
corneal angle and canal of Schlemm.
FAST TRACK
Special Sense
VIII
Microscopic structure of eyelid
 Outer thin skin of stratified squamous keratinized
epithelium with eye lashes at the free margin.
 Middle tarsus with Tarsal (Meibomian) glands
which opens at free margin of eyelid via minute
foramina. Tarsal glands are modified sebaceous
glands.
 A layer of skeletal muscle (orbicularis oculi) lies
superficial to tarsal plate separated by a layer of
supporting tissue which contains sensory nerve
roots.
 Internal aspect is covered by stratified non-
keratinized epithelium of smooth palpebral
conjunctiva.
BASIC SCIENCE MBBS -867-
 Anatomy

Applied Aspects:
- Interference in drainage of aqueous humour
results in increased intraocular pressure
(Glaucoma).

Development
 Optic vesicle forms optic cup. It is an outpouching
from the forebrain vesicle.
 Lens from lens placode (ectodermal)
 Retina:
- Pigment layer from outer layer of optic cup.
- Nervous layer from inner layer of optic cup.
a. Choroid, sclera: Mesoderm.
b. Cornea: Surface ectoderm.
Extraocular muscles of orbit
Muscles Origin Insertion Innervation Main action

Levator Lesser wing of Superior tarsus and skin of Oculomotor nerve Elevates superior eyelid
palpebrae sphenoid bone, superior eyelid (CN III); deep layer
superioris superior and (superior tarsal
anterior to optic muscles) is supplied
canal by sympathetic fibers
VIII Superior Body of sphenoid Its tendon passes through a Trochlear nerve Abducts, depresses, and
oblique (SO) bone fibrous ring or trochlea, (CN IV) medially rotates eyeball
changes its direction, and
inserts into sclera deep to
superior rectus muscle

Inferior Anterior part of Sclera deep to lateral Abducts, elevates, and

oblique (IO) floor of orbit rectus muscle laterally rotates eyeball

Superior Elevates, adducts, and

rectus (SR) Oculomotor nerve rotates eyeball medially

Inferior rectus (CN III) Depresses, adducts, and

(IR) rotates eyeball lateral
Common tendinous Sclera just posterior to
Medial rectus ring corneo-scleral junction Adducts eyeball
(MR)

Lateral rectus Abducent nerve Abducts eyeball

(LR) (CN VI)

-868- FAST TRACK BASIC SCIENCE MBBS

 Special Sense

5. Explain briefly the anterior, medial and posterior

EAR wall of middle ear cavity (5) [11 July]
Past Questions: 6. Draw a labelled diagram to illustrate the medial
1. Enumerate the subdivisions and parts of the wall of the middle ear cavity. (5) [05 Dec]
human ear. Give an account of the features seen 7. Write short notes on:
on the medial wall of tympanic cavity. a. Tympanic membrane (2)[03 June]
(2+3=5)[09 June] b. Development of tympanic membrane VIII
2. Give an account of the tympanic membrane with (2)[09 June, 07 July]
its blood supply, nerve supply and development. c. Ear ossicles and the type of articulations
(2+1+1+1=5) [02 Dec] associated between Ossicles. (3) [06 June]
3. Give an account of tympanic membrane under Parts
the following headings. (5) [10 July] 1. External ear consists of
a. Attachment i. The auricle or pinna
b. Structure ii. The external acoustic meatus.
c. Subdivision 2. Middle ear or tympanic cavity
d. Development 3. Internal ear Consist of
e. Nerve supply i. Bony labyrinth
4. Discuss the tympanic membrane under the ii. Membranous labyrinth
following headings (1+1+1+1+1=5) [06 Dec] External ear
a. Position A. The auricle or pinna
b. Parts - The auricle is the undulating projection from
c. Structure the side of the head and collects sound
d. Structure embedded in it vibration from air.
e. Development - Auricle at its bottom continues inward as an
external acoustic meatus.
FAST TRACK BASIC SCIENCE MBBS -869-
 Anatomy

- Greater part of auricle made up of elastic Nerve supply

cartilage which is lined on both side by skin. i. Sensory nerve supply:
However, the lowest part of auricle is called
lobule and it consists of fibrofatty tissue Upper 2/3rd by auriculo-
covered by skin. temporal nerve
a. Lateral surface
Parts of auricle: Lower 1/3rd by great
a. Helix auricular nerve
b. Medial surface
b. Antihelix
Upper 2/3rd by lesser
c. Concha occipital nerve
d. Lobule
c. Root of auricle is supplied by auricular branch
Muscles of auricle:
of vagus nerve.
- Two sets of muscles are found:
ii. Motor nerve supply:
i. Extrinsic muscle:
- All auricular muscles are supplied by branches
- They help in movement of auricle
of facial nerve.
a. Auriculares anterior
B. External acoustic meatus
b. Auriculares superior
- Extends from concha to tympanic membrane
c. Auriculares posterior
- It is S-shaped canal.
ii. Intrinsic muscle:
- It conducts sound waves to middle ear.
- They alter the shape of muscle
- It is separated from middle ear by tympanic
a. Helicis major and minor
membrane.
b. Tragicus and antitragicus
- Length of external acoustic meatus is 24 mm.
VIII c. Transverse auricularae
- Canal is oval in section.
d. Oblique auricularae
Subdivision:
Note: All muscles are innervated by branches of facial a. Bony part
nerve. - Medial 2/3rd (16 mm)
Blood supply: - Narrower than cartilaginous part
a. Arterial supply: - Formed by tympanic plate of tympanic bone
i. Posterior auricular branch of external - Narrowest point is called isthmus, lies 5 cm
lateral to tympanic membrane.
carotid artery
b. Cartilaginous part
ii. Anterior auricular branch of superficial
- Lateral 1/3rd (8 mm)
temporal artery
- Lining skin contains hairs, sebaceous and
iii. Few branches of occipital artery. ceruminous (or wax) glands.
b. Venous drainage: - Ceruminous glands are modified sweat
- Veins accompany the arteries and drain into glands.
 Superficial temporal & Blood supply:
a. Arterial supply
 External jugular vein
- Posterior auricular branch of external
Lymphatic drainage carotid artery
i. Preauricular lymph node - Anterior auricular branch of superficial
ii. Postauricular lymph node temporal artery
iii. Superficial cervical lymph node - Deep auricular branch of maxillary artery

-870- FAST TRACK BASIC SCIENCE MBBS


b. Venous drainage
- External jugular vein
- Maxillary vein
Nerve supply
- Roof and anterior wall is supplied by
 Auriculo-temporal nerve
- Floor and posterior wall is supplied by
 Auricular branch of vagus nerve
Lymphatic drainage
a. Pre-auricular lymph node
b. Post-auricular lymph node
c. Superficial cervical lymph node
Middle ear
 Also called tympanic cavity
 It is contained within petrous part of temporal
bone.
 It is filled with air and lined by mucous membrane
Subdivisions:
1. Epitympanum: Above the tympanic membrane
2. Mesotympanum: Opposite the
membrane
3. Hypotympanum: Below the
membrane
Boundaries:
- Roughly cuboidal in shape and present six walls
A. Roof or Tegmental wall
- Formed by tegmen tympani, which is a thin
plate of petrous part of temporal bone.
- Separates middle ear from middle cranial
fossa.
- The roof is pierced by lesser and greater
petrosal nerve, sometimes by vein into
superior petrosal sinus.
- In children the roof presents a gap at
unossified petrosquamous-suture through
which infection spread from middle ear to
meninges.
B. Floor or jugular wall
- Formed by jugular fossa on the undersurface of
petrous part of temporal bone
FAST TRACK
Special Sense
- Separates middle ear from superior bulb of
internal jugular vein
- Tympanic canaliculus is present near the
medial wall, which transmit tympanic branch of
glossopharyngeal nerve.
C. Anterior or carotid wall [11]
- Uppermost part bears the opening for tensor
tympani muscle.
- Middle part bears opening of auditory tube.
- Inferior part is formed by thin plate of bone,
which separates middle ear from internal
carotid artery and pierced by:
a. Superior and inferior caroticotympanic
nerve and
b. Tympanic branch of internal carotid artery.
D. Posterior or mastoid wall [11]
- Upper part of wall presents an opening, the
auditus to mastoid antrum, through which
epitympanic recess communicates with
mastoid antrum.
- Fossa incudis, a depression which lodges short
tympanic
process of incus
- A conical projection called pyramidal VIII
tympanic
eminence has an opening at its apex for
passage of tendon of stapedius muscle.
- Posterior canaliculus for chorda tympani
through which nerve enters the middle ear
cavity.
E. Lateral or membranous wall
- Separates middle ear from external acoustic
meatus
- Formed:
a. Mainly by tympanic membrane along with
tympanic ring of sulcus
b. Partly by squamous temporal bone in the
region of epitympanic recess.
Features:
- Near tympanic notch, there are two small
apertures.
a. Petrotympanic fissure: Lies in-front of
upper end of bony rim. It lodges anterior
process of malleus and transmits tympanic
branch by maxillary artery.
BASIC SCIENCE MBBS -871-
 Anatomy
b. Anterior canaliculus: Lie either in the
fissure or in front of it.
- Chorda tympanic nerve leaves middle ear
through it.
F. Medial or Labyrinthine wall [11, 09, 05]
- Separates middle ear from internal ear
Features:
a. Promontory: Rounded bulging produced by
first turn of cochlea, grooved by tympanic
plexus
b. Fenestra vestibuli (oval window): An opening
posterosuperior to promontory, leads to
vestibule of internal ear and closed by foot
process of stapes.
VIII
-872- FAST TRACK
c. Fenestra cochlea (round window): Opening at
the bottom of depression posterio-inferior to
promontory, opens into scala tympani and
closed by secondary tympanic membrane.
d. Prominence of facial canal: Runs backward just
above the fenestra vestibuli to reach lower
margin of auditus.
e. Sinus tympani: Depression behind promontory
f. Prominence of lateral semicircular canal.
g. Processus cochleariformis: Continuation of
bony septum between canal of tensor tympani
and auditory tube.
BASIC SCIENCE MBBS
 Special Sense

Arterial supply: Parts:

Main arteries: a. Head
a. Anterior tympanic artery: Branch of maxillary b. Neck
artery c. Handle
b. Posterior tympanic artery: Branch of posterior d. Two process anterior and lateral process
auricular artery. ii. Incus or anvil
Small arteries:  So called because it resembles anvil
a. Superior tympanic artery: Branch of middle Parts:
meningeal artery
a. Body
b. Inferior tympanic artery: Branch of ascending
b. Long process
pharyngeal artery
iii. Stapes
c. Tympanic branch of artery to pterygoid canal
 Shape is like stirrup.
d. Caroticotympanic branch of internal carotid
 Smallest and most medially placed ossicle
artery
Parts:
e. Petrosal branch of middle meningeal artery
a. Head
Venous drainage:
b. Neck
a. Superior petrosal sinus
c. Two crura or limbs
b. Pterygoyd plexus of vein
d. Foot plate
Lymphatic drainage:
Joints of ossicles:
- Preauricular and retropharyngeal lymph node
i. Incudomalleolar joint:
Nerve supply:
- Saddle variety of synovial joint between
- Through tympanic plexus formed over VIII
malleus & body of incus.
promontory by:
ii. Incudostapedial joint:
i. Tympanic branch of a glossopharyngeal nerve
- Ball and socket variety of synovial joint.
ii. Superior and inferior caroticotympanic nerve
- Between long process of incus and head of
Contents: stapes
a. Three ear ossicles namely: Malleus, Incus and
Stapes
b. Ligament of ear ossicles
c. Two muscles: Tensor tympani and stapedius
d. Vessels supplying and draining middle ear
e. Nerve: Chorda tympani nerve and tympanic
plexus
f. Air
Ear Ossicles
- Three in number:
i. Malleus
 So called because it resembles hammer
 Largest of all three Ossicles
 Attached to umbo of tympanic membrane

FAST TRACK BASIC SCIENCE MBBS -873-

 Anatomy

Note: Structure embedded:

- Malleus and incus are derived from first branchial i. Handle of malleus: Pars compacta
arch. ii. Chordatympanic nerve: Pars flaccida
- Stapes is derived from second branchial arch. Structure:
Tympanic membrane (ear drum) [KU 2003] - From outside inward, tympanic membrane
consist of three layers:
 Thin translucent partition between external
acoustic meatus and middle ear a. Outer cuticular layer:
 Oval in shape, measuring 9×10 mm  Lined by stratified squamous epithelium
 Outer surface is concave, inner is convex; point of b. Intermediate fibrous layer:
maximum convexity is called umbo.  Composed of outer radiating and inner
Position: circular fibers.
- It is placed obliquely at an angle of 550 with  Radiating fibers diverse from handle of
floor of meatus. malleus to periphery.
- It faces downward, forward and laterally.  Circular fibers are abundant at periphery
Attachment: and scanty at centre.
- It is attached to the sulcus of Tympanic Plate of  Fibrous layer is replaced by loose areolar
temporal bone at the bottom of external tissue in pars flaccida.
acoustic meatus.
c. Inner mucous layer:
- Superiorly the sulcus is deficient, so membrane
is attached to the tympanic notch.  Lined by simple columnar epithelium
Subdivision: Blood Supply
i. Pars flaccida: 1. Arterial supply:
VIII  Small, triangular loose area between two i. Outer surface is supplied by deep auricular
malleolar folds branch of maxillary artery.
 Sometimes, it presents a perforation for ii. Inner surface is supplied by:
chordae tympani nerve a. Anterior tympanic branch of maxillary
ii. Pars compacta: artery
 Greater part of membrane, which is b. Posterior tympanic branch of stylomastoid
stretched tightly by the attachment handle branch of posterior circular artery.
of malleus and deposition of radiating 2. Venous drainage:
fibers. i. Outer layer: Drains into internal jugular vein
ii. Inner layer: Transverse sinus and pterygold
venous plexus.
Nerve supply
- Cuticular layer supplied by:
i. Auriculotemporal nerve in anteroinferior part
ii. Auricular branch of vagus nerve in
posterosuperior part.
- Mucus layer is supplied by:
i. Glossopharyngeal nerve through tympanic
plexus.

-874- FAST TRACK BASIC SCIENCE MBBS

 Special Sense

Development [KU 2013] a. Anterior semicircular canal

 Tympanic membrane is developed from three b. Posterior semicircular canal
sources representing three layers of embryonic c. Lateral semicircular canal
disc: Membranous labyrinth
i. Cuticular layer: Developed from ectoderm of i. Spiral duct of cochlea or organ of corti
dorsal end of first branchial cleft. ii. Utricle and sacule
ii. Intermediate fibrous layer: Developed from iii. Semicircular duct.
mesoderm of adjoining branchial arches.
Development
iii. Inner mucous layer: Developed from
endoderm of tubotympanic recess. Parts Source of development

Note: The major portion of the tympanic membrane is Tubercle appearing on 1st and
Auricle
firmly attached to the handle of the malleus and is 2nd branchial arch
formed only after dissolution of the mesenchyme External acoustic Dorsal part of first
surrounding the ossicles. meatus ectodermal cleft

Internal ear Mesoderm of 1st

Tensor tympani muscle
 Also called labyrinth, lies in petrous part of pharyngeal arch
temporal bone Mesoderm of 2nd pharyngeal
Stapedius
 It consist of bony labyrinth, within which arch
membranous labyrinth is present. Membranous labyrinth Ectodermal vesicle
 Membranous labyrinth is filled with endolymph. It Organ of Corti Ectoderm
is separated from bony labyrinth by perilymph.
Tympanic cavity and Tubotympanic recess
Bony labyrinth Eustachian tube (endodermal) VIII
Consist of three parts:
i. Cochlea SMELL AND TASTE
ii. Vestibule  Refer to physiology
iii. Semicircular canal

FAST TRACK BASIC SCIENCE MBBS -875-

 Anatomy

SPECIAL POINTS FOR MCQs

1. All the germ layers ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm are present in tympanic membrane.
2. Tympanic membrane has 3 layers and developed from all 3 germ layers:
- Cutaneous layer – Ectoderm
- Intermediate fibrous layer – Mesoderm
- Inner layer – Endoderm
3. Development of tongue:
- Anterior 2/3rd  Fusion of pair of lingual swellings of first bronchial arch and tuberculam
impar.
- Posterior 1/3rd Hypobranchial eminence formed by fusion of 2nd, 3rd and 4th branchial arch.
4. Eye ball tunics are developed form:
- Sclera Dural sheath of optic nerve
- Choroid Pia arachnoid mater
- Retina  Diencephalon
5. Stapedius muscle is supplied by facial nerve.
VIII 6. Semicircular canals open into the vestibule with 5 openings.
7. Tensor tympani arises from anterior wall of bony middle ear cavity and is supplied by
mandibular nerve whereas stapedius (smallest muscle) arises from posterior wall of middle ear
and is supplied by facial nerve.
8. Middle ear cavity is supplied by glossopharyngeal.
9. Auricle has helix, antihelix, concha, tragus, antitragus and lobule.
10. Middle ear is traversed by chorda tympani and lesser petrosal nerve.
11. Middle ear is developed from endoderm while internal ear is developed from ectoderm.
12. Cochlear canal make two and three fourth turns around the modiolus.
13. Hearing occurs through spiral organ of corti consisting of the inner and outer hair cells, supporting
Deiter's and Hensen's cells and membrane tectoria.
14. Carotid artery lies in the anterior wall and jugular vein lies in the floor of tympanic cavity
(middle ear)
15. Organ of Corti, utricle & saccule, and semicircular ducts are the receptor for hearing, static
balance & kinetic balance respectively.
16. Saccule and utricle contain macula which is essential for static and linear equilibrium.

-876- FAST TRACK BASIC SCIENCE MBBS

 Special Sense

17. Utricle maintains equilibrium during horizontal linear motion e.g. Car
18. Sacule maintains equilibrium during vertical linear motion e.g. Lift
19. Semicircular ducts contain crista which is essential for the rotational equilibrium (during Kinetic
motion).
20. Tensor tympani is supplied by mandibular nerve.
21. Human ear can receive sound of frequency 20 - 20000 Hz.
22. Ossicles are the only bone fully formed at birth.
23. External acoustic meatus is 24 mm long and contains a sebaceous gland and modified sweat gland
known as ceruminous gland. External 1/3rd is cartilaginous and internal 2/3rd is bony.
24. The point of maximum convexity of tympanic membrane lies at the tip of the handle of malleus
and is k/a UMBO.
25. Blood supply of tympanic membrane: [@SAD]
1. Stylomastoid branch of posterior auricular artery,
2. Anterior tympanic branch of maxillary artery &
3. Deep auricular branch of maxillary artery.
26. Joint between Incus & Malleus (Incudomalleolar) is saddle type and between Incus & between
stapes (Incudostapedial) is ball and socket type.
27. Retina has 10 layers and cornea has 5 layers.
28. Muscles of iris are ectodermal in origin. VIII
29. Within the substance of sclera lies sinus venosus sclarae or canal of Schlem essential for drainage
of aqueous humor fluid.
30. Weakest portion of scleral layer of eye is at the point where optic nerve crosses it. Here the sclera
shows numerous perforations for the passage of fibers of optic nerve and is known as lamina
cribosa (due to sieve like appearance).
31. Cornea is avascular & lined by stratified squamous non-keratinized epithelium. Cornea is
supplied of nasociliary branch of ophthalmic nerve.
32. End point of choroid layer (pigment layer) from where ciliary body merges is known as orra
serrata.
33. Uveal tract = Ciliary body + Iris + Choroid layer.
34. Iris is known as "Adjustable diaphragm" of eye as it controls the amount of light entering to retina
by adjusting size of pupil.
35. Iris contains two types of muscle: Sphincter pupillae (having parasympathetic control) and
dilator pupillae (sympathetic control).

FAST TRACK BASIC SCIENCE MBBS -877-

 Anatomy

36. The thinnest area of retina is "fovea centralis" which is a depressed part of a vascular macula
lutea & is site for maximum acuity of vision. It lies 3 mm lateral to optic disc (Physiological blind
spot).
37. Retina is composed of 10 layers and the most vulnerable site for the detachment of retina is in
between pigmented layer and photoreceptor layer (rods & cones layer).
38. Aqueous humour are secreted from capillaries of ciliary process and are mainly responsible for
intraocular pressure (IOP).
39. Optic disc (blind spot) is insensitive to light due to absence of rods and cones.
40. Macula lutea (yellow spot) gives most distinct vision and on the center has fovea centralis.
41. Refractive media consists of cornea, aqueous humor, lens and vitreous body (vitreous humor)
42. Lens is vascular and biconvex. It flattens for distant vision due to contraction of suspensory
ligament and becomes globular due to contraction of ciliary muscle and relaxation of suspensory
ligament.
43. Human lens is ectodermal in origin.
44. Amacrine cells of retina are the neurons with dendrites only.
45. Filliform papillae are devoid of taste buds.

VIII

-878- FAST TRACK BASIC SCIENCE MBBS