Senses

Histology Department
Medical Faculty
University of Sumatera Utara
2008
References:
Noback CR. The Human Nervous System. Tokyo. McGraw Hill.
1967
Gartner LP. Hiat JL. Color Textbook of Histology. 2
nd
ed.
Philadelphia. W.B. Saunders. 2001
Mulvaney BD. Chemography of lysosome-like structures in
olfactory epithelium. Jcb 1971;51:568-75
Marfurt CF, Kingsley RE, Echtenkamp SE. Sensory and
sympathetic of the mammalian cornea: A retrograde tracing
study. Invest. Opt. Vis. Sci.1989:30(3);461-72
Los LI, van der Worp RJ, van Luyn MJA, Hooymans JMM.
Presence of collagen IV in the cilliary zonules of the human eye:
An immunohistochemical studies by LM and TEM. jhc
2004:52(6);789-95

General Terms
Peripheral nerve terminals are of two
types:
Terminal of axons w/ transmit impulses from
CNS to effectors (efferent)
Terminal of dendrites w/ perceive stimuli and
transmit to CNS (afferent), called receptor
(sensory endings)
recognizes a stimulus, then
change the stimulus into impulses.

Senses can be:
General afferent
Pain, touch, visceral senses, and thermal appreciation
Result in unconscious reflexes
Special afferent
Associated with highly specialized senses
Smell, sight, hearing, taste
Located in the head
Are conveyed by cranial nerves
Somatic refers to the body wall and limbs;
visceral refers to the vital organ systems
(circulatory, digestive, respiratory, and excretory systems)

Receptor Classification
Depending on the source of the stimulus
Exteroceptor
General somatic afferent
Special somatic afferent: vision and hearing
Special visceral afferent: smell and taste
Proprioceptor (kinesthetic, deep sensibilities)
General somatic afferent: intrafusal fibers
Special somatic afferent: equilibrium (ear)
Interoceptor (visceral senses)
General visceral afferent: visceral organ
Depending dendrite response to a particular stimulus
Mechanoreceptor
Thermoreceptor
Nociceptor
Mechanoreceptor
Stimulated by anything moving or physical perturbation.
Classification
tactile receptors - touch, pressure, vibration
i. encapsulated receptors
a) Meissners corpuscles - fine touch
b) Pacinian corpuscles - deep pressure
c) Ruffini corpuscles - tension, crude touch
ii. unencapsulated receptors
a) free nerve endings - pain
b) Merkels discs - fine touch
c) root hair plexes - hair movement
baroreceptors are sensitive to internal pressures such as blood
pressure, lung stretch, digestive tract tension
proprioceptors are kinesthetic monitors of tendon muscle stretch.

Thermoreceptor and Nociceptor
thermoreceptors - detect heat or absence
thereof, phasic, same pathways as pain
nociceptor stimulation results in pain.Heat,
mechanical stress and chemicals can all
cause pain by stimulating different classes of
receptors.
a. fast pain - deep cuts, etc. - referred immediately to
primary sensory cortex, usually trigger reflexes
b. slow pain - later, persistent, indistinct source,
thalamic
c. referred pain - visceral, "incorrect" source
perceived

Special Sense
1. Taste
2. Olfaction (smell)
3. Vision
4. Equilibrium and Hearing ear
Olfaction
Olfaction
on the susperior aspect of the nasal septum
Mucosa: epithelium and lamina propria
Olfactory epithelium comprises 3 types of cells:
Olfactory cells
Sustentacular cells
Basal cells
Lamina propria houses
Serous fluid-secreting Bowmans gland
A rich vascular plexus
Loose to dense collagens
Lymphoid elements
Collection of axons of olfactory cells
is firmly attached to the underlying periosteum
Olfactory cells
Bipolar neurons
Dendrite
Apical aspect of olfactory cell
Distal terminus is modified to form olfactory vesicle
6-8 long nonmotile cilia extend from olfactory vesicle to free surface
Unusual axoneme pattern (9+2 config) doublets to nine singlets + 2
central singlets
Nucleus
Spherical
closer to basal lamina than to olfactory vesicle
Organeles: surrounding nucleus
Axons
Unmyelinated, has a sheath of Schwan cell
Basal region, penetrates the basal lamina and joins similar axons to
form bundles of nerve fiber. The nerve fibers pass through the
cribrom plate to synapse w/ secondary neurons in the olfactory bulb
Olfactory cell
Sustentacular cell
EM of Olfactory cell
Sustentacular Cells
50 60 m tall columnar cells
Apical aspect:
striated border microvilli; terminal web
Secretory granules housing yellow pigment
Nuclei:
Oval; in apical third of the cell, somewhat superficial to
olfactory cell nuclei
Lateral: junctional complexes
Olfactory vesicles of olfactory cells
Contiguous sustentacular cells
Function: provide physical support, nourishment, and
electrical insulation for the olfactory cells
Basal Cells
Short, basophilic, pyramid shaped cells
whose apical aspects donot reach the
epithelial surface
Nuclei: centrally located, occupy basal
third of the epithelium
Proliferative capacity and can replace
both sustentacular and olfactory cell
stem cells
Lamina Propria
Is composed of :
richly vascularized, loose to dense, irregular
collagenous connective tissue
lymphoid elements
collection of axons of the olfactory cells
Bowman glands
Is firmly attached to the underlying
periosteum


Eye Anatomy - Internal and External
External (Accesory)
Eyelids (palpebrae)
Conjunctiva (mucous
membrane)
Glands and ducts
Internal
Orb! 3 Tunics
Fibrous: Cornea and
Sclera
Vascular: Choroid,
Ciliary body, and Iris
Sensory: Retina
(pigmented and neural
layers)
Eye
Photosensory organs of the body
Light passes through the cornea, lens, and several
refractory structures of the orb; light is then focused by
the lens on the retina, which contains the
photosensitive rods and cones. Through a series of
several layers of nerve cells and supporting cells, the
visual information is transmitted by the optic nerve to
the brain for processing.
The bulb of the eye is composed:
A fibrous tunic, forming the tough outer coat
A vascular tunic, the pigmented and vascular midle coat
A neural tunic (retina), the innermost coat
Special Senses: Vision
General Anatomy
Fibrous Tunic
Vascular Tunic
Sensory Tunic
Tunica Fibrosa
Tunica fibrosa is composed of the sclera
and cornea
The white, opaque sclera covers the
posterior five sixth of the orb
Colorless, transparent cornea covers the
anterior one sixth of the orb.
Sclera
A tough fibrous connective tissue
+ 1 mm thick posteriorly, thinning at the equator, thickening near its
junctions with the cornea
Consists of interlacing type I collagen bundles alternating with
networks of elastic fibers
Nearly devoid of blood vessels
Cells: Fibroblast and melanocytes
Tendons of the extraocular insert into the surface layer of the
sclera, which is enveloped by the capsule of Tenon
capsule of Tenon
A fascial sheath that covers the optic nerve and the orb as far
anteriorly as the ciliary region
Separates the orb from the periorbital fat
Episclera: a thin layer of loose connective tissue that is connected
to capsula Tenon
Cornea
Transparent, avascular, and highly innervated
anterior portion of the fibrous tunic that bulges
out anteriorly of the orb
Thicker than sclera
Five layers:
Corneal epithelium
Bowmans membrane
Stroma
Descemets membrane
Corneal endothelium
Corneal epithelium
Stratified squamous nonkeratinized ep
5 7 layers of cells
Larger superficial cells have microvilli and exhibit zonulae
occludentes
Interdigitation; junctions: desmosome
Have usual array of organelles and intermediate filaments
Mitotic figures: mostly near the periphery of the cornea
Turn over rate: 7 days
Cells can migrate to injured regions
Functions:
Covers the anterior surface of the cornea
Transferring water and ions from the stroma into conjunctival sac
Innervated by numeous free nerve endings
Sensory nerve fibers from trigeminal ganglion
Sympathetic nerve fibers from superior cervical ganglio
Bowmans membrane
Lies immediately deep to the corneal
epithelium
Fibrillar lamina, composed of type I collagen
fibers arranged in random fashion
Synthesized by corneal epithelium and stroma
Sensory nerve fibers pass bowmans
membrane to enter and terminate in the
epithelium
Stroma
The thickest layer of the cornea (90%)
Transparent
Composed of
collagen (mostly type I) that are arranged in 200 250 lamella in
parallel to one another
Thin elastic fibers, interspersed with collagen fibers
Ground substances: (mostly) chondroitin sulfate and keratan
sulfate
Cells:
Fibroblasts
Lymphocytes and neutrophil (inflammation condition)
Limbus
Trabecular meshwork
Canal of schlemm

Descemets membrane
Thick basement membrane interposed
between the stroma and endothelium
Thin and homogenous in younger
becomes thicker and has cross-striations
and hexagonal fiber patterns in older
adults
Corneal endothelium
Posterior surface of the cornea
Simple squamous epithelium
Exhibit numerous pinocytotic vesicles
Their membrane have sodium pumps
Functions:
Responsible for protein synthesis necessary for
secreting and maintaining Descemets membrane
Keeping relatively dehydrated maintaining the
corneal refractive quality
Tunica Vasculosa
Middle tunic of the eye
Is composed of:
Choroid
Ciliary body
iris

Choroid
Well vascularized, pigmented layer of the posterior wall
Is composed of loose connective tissue
The black color is due to the myriad of melanocytes
Small blood vessels in the inner surface of choroid,
choriocapillary layer, are responsible providing nutrients to the
retina
The choroid is separated from retina by Bruchs membrane
1 4 m thick membrane composed of elastic fibers in the central
region and sandwhiched on both sides by collagen fibers.
The outer aspect of each collagen fiber layer is covered by basal
lamina that belongs to capillaries on one side and the pigment
epithelium of the retina on the other side
Ciliary Body
Wedge-shaped extension o/t choroid:
rings the inner wall o/t eye a/t level o/t lens
Occupies the space between the ora serrata o/t
retina and the iris
Surface
Sclera: sclerocorneal junction
Vitreous body
Medial surface projects toward lens: ciliary process
Is composed of loose connective tissue
containing elastic fibers, blood vessels, and
melanocytes
Ciliary body
Inner surface is lined by pars ciliaris o/t retina that is composed of
2 cell layers:
Outer cell layer, w/ faces the lumen o/t orb, is a nonpigmented
columnar epithelium
Inner cell layer is a pigmented simple columnar epithelium
Ciliary process
Anterior one third o/t ciliary body
Radiate out f/ central core of connective tissue containing fenestrated
capillaries
Are covered by the same epithelias as ciliary body
Nonpigmented layer has many interdigitations and infolding forming
aqueous humor that provides nutrients and oxygen for lens n cornea
Fiber of Zonula fibers radiate f/ ciliary process to insert into lens
capsule suspensory ligaments o/t lens and macromolecul barrier
Flow of Aqueous Humor
** Flow of Aqueous Humor
Ciliary Body
Bulk o/t ciliary body is composed of 3 bundles
of smooth muscle (ciliary muscle)
1 bundles stretches the choroid altering the
canal schlemm for drainage o/t aqueous humor
2 bundles
Attached a/t scleral spur
Contraction is mediaterd CN III stretch the choroid body
Reducing tensions o/t zonulae lens become thicker
and more convex accomodation
Iris
The anteriormost extension o/t choroid, lies between posterior and anterior chamber; covering
the lens excep pupil
Anterior surface
consists of 2 concentric rings:
Pupillary zone
Ciliary zone; wider
Is irregular
Is covered by incomplete layer of pigmented cells and fibroblast
Stroma:
Poorly vascularized
Loose connective tissue: fibroblast and melanocytes
Posterior surface:
Smooth; covered by two layers of retinal epithelium
Heavily pigmented block the light from passing through the iris except pupil
Muscle
Dilator pupillae; myoepithelial in nature, extension of epithelial cells, innervated by
sympathetic nerve, dilates the pupil
Sphincter pupillae muscle; smooth muscle, alter diameter of pupil, innervated by CN III
(parasympathetic nerve), constricts the pupil
Melanocytes
block the light from passing through the iris except pupil
Imparts the eye color
High dark
Low blue
Lens
Flexible, biconvex, transparent disc consist of lens capsule, subcapsular
epithelium, and lens fiber
Lens capsule
Basal lamina
Type IV collagen + glycoprotein
Covers the epithelial and envelops the entire lens
Subcapsular epithelium
Only on the anterior surface
Single layer of cuboidal cells but becoming columnar in the vicinity o/t equator;
communicate each other via gap juntions, interdigitation
Apices of the cells interdigitate with lens fibers
Lens fiber
2000 long cells
Compose the bulk o/t lens
The cells of subcapsular epithelium give rise to highly differentiated and
hexagonal cells (lens fiber) which lose nuclei and organelles and continue
elongating; a process called maturation
Hexagonal cells are filled with crystallin, lensprotein, increase the refractory
index
Vitreous Body
Transparent, refractive gel that fills the
vitreous cavity behind the lens
Is composed of water (99%), electrolytes,
collagen fibers, hyaluronic acid
Cells: macrophages and hyalocytes at the
periphery o/t vitreous body
Hyaloid canal
Narrow channel that was occupied by the hyaloid
artery in the fetus
From the posterior lens to optic disk
Neural Tunic (Retina)
Innermost tunic; neural portion; contain
photoreceptor cells (rods and cones)
Is composed of 10 distinct layer
Optic disk
On the posterior wall o/t orb
Is the exit site o/t optic nerve
Contains no photoreceptor cells blind
spot
Neural Tunic (Retina)
Macula lutea (Yellow spot)
2.5 mm lateral to optic disk
Fovea centralis:
An oval depression in the center of yellow spot
Greatest of visual acuity
Contains only cones which are packed tightly as
the other layers o/t retina are pushed aside

Pigment Epithelium (RPE)
Cuboidal to columnar cells; basal nuclei
Basal
are attached to Bruchs membrane
Mitochondria; invaginations transport
Lateral
Blood-retina barrier
Apical
Microvilli and sleeve-like structures that surround and isolate the photoreceptor
Abundance Melanin granules
Residual bodies
Functions
Blood-retina barrier
Absorb light
Preventing reflection from the tunics
Phagocytose spent membranous
Esterifying vit A derivatives

Rods and Cones
Rods
Activated in dim light only
Elongated cells oriented parallel to one
another but perpendicular to the retina
Are composed of outer an segment, an
inner segment, a nuclear region, a synaptic
region


Outer segment o/t rod
Dendritic end; longer in rods th/ in cones
Flattened membranous lamellae oriented
perpendicular to its long axis
Each lamella represents an invaginations o/t
plasmalemma
Detachment of plasmalemma form a disk
Disk is composed of 2 membranes containing rhodopsin
Disk migrate to apical end and shed into the sheaths o/t
pigment cells and theyll be phagocytosed

Inner segment o/t rod
separated f/ outer segment by connecting
stalk
Abundant mitochondria and cytoplasmic
granules necessary for production
energy for visual process
Protein produced in the inner segment
migrate to outer segment

Figure A. Drawing of a cone
photoreceptor, a bipolar cell, and a
ganglion cell showing their relative
positions in the retina, which generate the
"layers" of the retina shown in Figures B
and C. From the top down, structures are:
OS, cone outer segment; E, ellipsoid; N,
nucleus of cone photoreceptor; A, axon of
cone; S1, synapse between cone and
bipolar cell; DB, dendrite of bipolar cell;
NB, nucleus of bipolar cell; AB, axon of
bipolar cell; S2, synapse between bipolar
and ganglion cell; NG, nucleus of ganglion
cell; AG, axon of ganglion cell. 1,000 X
Figures B and C. Matched pair of light
and electron micrographs of the retina
of the macaque. A, axon of cone; Ch,
choroid; E, ellipsoid; INL, inner nuclear
layer; IPL, inner plexiform layer; LGC,
layer of ganglion cells; LRC, layer of
rods and cones; N, nucleus of cone;
NFL, nerve fiber layer; ONL, outer
nuclear layer; OPL, outer plexiform
layer; PE, pigment epithelium; arrow,
light path through retina. 1,000 X

Figure A. Electron micrograph of
longitudinal section through
photoreceptors of the monkey retina. A,
axon of cone; C, cone photoreceptor; E,
ellipsoid; IS, inner segment of cone; N,
nucleus of cone; OPL, outer plexiform
layer; OS, outer segment of cone; R, rod
photoreceptor; RN, nucleus of rod; ROS,
rod outer segment; arrow, direction of light
passing through retina. 2,700 X
Figure B. Electron micrograph of
choroid, pigment epithelium, and distal
portion of photoreceptors of the
monkey retina. Ca, capillary in choroid;
M, melanocyte in choroid; PE, pigment
epithelium; ROS, rod outer segment,,
arrow, direction of light passing
through retina; arrowhead, residual
body in pigment epithelium containing
remains of phagocytosed tip of rod
outer segment. 5,700 X
How does light travel through the
eye?
Pathway of light
Pathway of
excitation
Action potential
generated at
ganglion cell layer.
Cones
Are activated in bright light
Elongated cells
3 types of cones; different variety of iodopsin
sensitivity to red, green, and blue
The structure is similar to that of rods with a
few exceptions: outer segments, the disk,
protein location in outer segment, sensitivity to
light and color, and pigment recycling.

External (outer) limiting membrane
A region of zonulae adherens between Muller cells and
photoreceptors
Outer nuclear layer
Occupied by nuclei o/t rods and cones
Outer plexiform layer
Axodendritic synapses btw photoreceptor cells and dendrites
of bipolar and horizontal cells
Two types of synapses:
Flat
Invaginated: triad a dendrite of a bipolar cells and a dendrite
from each of two horizontal cells
Ribbon-like lamellae (synaptic ribbon)
neurotransmitter
Inner Nuclear layer
Occupied by nuclei of bipolar, horizontal, amacrine, and
Muller cells
Inner plexiform layer
The processes of amacrine, bipolar, and ganglion cells
Axodendritic synapses
Axons of bipolar cells and dendrites of ganglion cells and
amacrine cells
Two types of synapses: flat and invaginated
Dyad: axon of bipolar cell and two dendrites of either amacrine cells
or ganglion cells or one dendrite from each two different cells
Synapted ribbon
Ganglion cell layer
Cell bodies of ganglion cells
Optic nerve fiber layer
Unmyelinated axons of ganglion cells
Inner limiting membrane
Basal lamina o/t Muller cells
Accesory Structure o/t eye
Conjuctiva
A transparent mucous membrane
palpebral conjunctiva: lines the inner surface o/t
eyelids
Bulbar conjunctiva: covers the sclera
is composed of
a stratified columnar ep that contains goblet cells
Basal lamina
Lamina propria composed of loose connective tissue
Secretions o/t goblet cells is a part of tear film
continues as stratified squamous corneal ep at
corneoscleral junction and is devoid of goblet
cells

Eyelid conjunctiva
Eyelids
Fold of skins
Are supported by a framework of tarsal plate
The margin contain eyelashes arranged in rows of 3 or
4 w/out arrector pilli muscle
External surface: str squamous ep of skin
Sweat glands, fine hairs, and sebaceous glands of skin
Glands of Moll (modified sweat glands) form a spiral before
opening into the eyelash follicles
Modified sebaceous glands
Meibomian glands located in the tarsus of each lid and open on
the free edge of the lids
Glands of Zeis are associated w/ eyelashes and secrete
theirproduct into eyelash follicles
Internal surface: palpebral conjunctiva
Eyelid
Lacrimal apparatus
Lacrimal gland
secretes tears
Serous, tubuloalveolar gland
Myoepithelial cells surround acini
Lacrimal canaliculi
Lacrimal canaliculi join into a common conduit to lacrimal sac
Stratified squamous ep.
Lacrimal sac
Is a dilated superior portion of nasolacrimal duct
Pseudostratified ciliated columnar ep
Nasolacrimal duct
Inferior continuation o/t lacrimal sac
Pseudostratified ciliated columnar ep
Carries the lacrimal fluid into inferior meatus located in the floor of
nasal cavity