Perception and Coordination Lesson 1.2

NCM114 Perception and Coordination Concept
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Lesson 1 . REVIEW OF ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
VISION
The human eyes are the most complicated sense organs in the human body. From the
muscles and tissues to nerves and blood vessels, every part of the human eye is
responsible for a certain action. Furthermore, contrary to popular belief, the eye is not
perfectly spherical; instead, it is two separate segments fused together. It is made up of
several muscles and tissues that come together to form a roughly spherical structure.
From an anatomical perspective, the human eye can be broadly classified into the
external structure and internal structure.
 External Structures of the Eye

o Sclera: It is a tough and
thick white sheath that
protects the inner parts
of the eye. We know it as
the ‘White of the eye’.
o Conjunctiva: It is a thin
transparent membrane
that is spread across the
sclera. It keeps the eyes
moist and clear by
secreting small amounts
of mucus and tears.
o Cornea: It is the
transparent layer of skin
that is spread over the
pupil and the iris. The main role of the cornea is to refract the light that enters the
eyes.
o Iris: It is a pigmented layer of tissues that make up the colored portion of the eye. Its
primary function is to control the size of the pupil, depending on the amount of light
entering it.
o Pupil: It is the small opening located in the middle of the Iris. It allows light to come
in.
o Movement of the eye is controlled by six extraocular muscles
 Internal Structures of the Eye
o Lens: It is a transparent,
biconvex, and an adjustable
part of an eye. The lens with
the help of the cornea
refracts light focused on the
retina, therefore creating
images on it.
o Retina: It is the layer
present at the back of the
eye where all the images
are formed. It is the third
and inner coat of the eye
which is very sensitive
towards the light because of
the presence of Photoreceptors. The retina functions by converting the light rays into
impulses and sending the signals to the brain through the optic nerve.
o Optic nerve: It is located at the end of the eyes, behind the retina. The optic nerve is
mainly responsible for carrying all the nerve impulses from the photoreceptors to
the human brain, without which vision would not be possible.
 Fluids of the eye
o Aqueous Humour: It is a watery fluid that

is present in the area between the lens and the cornea. It is
responsible for the nourishment of both the lens and the
cornea.
o Vitreous Humour: it is a semi-solid,
transparent, jelly-like substance that covers the interior
portion of the eyes. It plays an important role in maintaining
the shape of the eye and also causes refraction of light
before it reaches the retina.
 Visual Pathways
o Retina (rods and cones) translates light waves into neural impulses that travel
over the optic nerves.
o Optic nerves for each eye meet at the optic chiasm. Fibers from median halves of
the retinas cross here and travel to the opposite side of the brain. Fibers from
lateral halves of retinas remain uncrossed. Optic nerves continue from optic
chiasm as optic tracts and travel to the cerebrum (occipital lobe), where visual
impulses are perceived and interpreted.
Hearing:
 External Ear
o Auricle (pinna) – outer projection of ear composed of cartilage and covered by
skin; collects sound waves.
o External auditory canal – lined with skin; glands secrete cerumen (wax),
providing protection; transmits sound waves to tympanic membrane.
o Tympanic membrane (eardrum) – at the end of external canal; vibrates in
response to sound and transmits vibrations to middle ear.
 Middle Ear
o Ossicles - 3 small bones:
 malleus (hammer) attached to tympanic membrane,
 incus (anvil),
 stapes (stirrup)
o Ossicles are set in motion by sound waves from tympanic membrane.
o Sound waves are conducted by vibration to the footplate of the stapes in the oval
window (an opening between the middle ear and the inner ear)
o Eustachian tube – connects nasopharynx and middle ear; brings air into middle
ear, thus equalizing pressure on both sides of eardrum.
 Inner Ear
o Cochlea contains the organ of Corti; the receptor end organ for hearing
Transmits sound waves from the oval widow and initiates nerve impulses carried
by cranial nerve VIII (acoustic branch) to the brain (temporal lobe of cerebrum)
o Vestibular apparatus
 Organ of balance/equilibrium
 Composed of three semicircular canals (responds to rotational
movements) and the utricle and saccule (responds to changes in the
position of the head with respect to gravity).

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NCM114 Perception and Coordination Concept

Lesson 1 . REVIEW OF ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY

 External Structures of the Eye

 Internal Structures of the Eye

o Aqueous Humour: It is a watery fluid that

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