Special Senses

Olfactory epithelium consists of 3 cell types. Which of the following is not one of them:

• Olfactory receptor cells

• Olfactory stem cells

• Basal cells

• Supporting cells

There cells help detoxify chemicals that come in contact with the olfactory epithelium

• Cilia

• Basal cells

• Supporting cells

• Schwann cells

Receptors in the nasal mucosa send impulses along CN1 through which feature of the skull

• Sella turcica

• Olfactory foramen

• Cribriform plate

• Foramen magnum

Where are smells interpreted

• Temporal lobe

• Parietal lobe

• Frontal lobe

• Occipital lobe

The largest gustatory papillae

• Fungiform

• Vallate

• Foliate

• Filiform

Answer explanation

Filiform is solely tactile, not gustatory

Which of the following produces the weakest sense of taste

• Sweet

• Umami

• Sour

• Bitter

Answer explanation

I know it came up in my study group, but it's never mentioned where umami ranks in the 5. Google says it varies from person to person but generally is more potent than bitter and less than sweet or salty.

Which of the following cranial nerves plays no role in the sensation of taste

• Olfactory

• Facial

• Glossopharyngeal

• Vagus

• None of the above

Answer explanation

Up to 80% of flavor comes from olfactory input.

Not totally wrong if you said olfactory though, as only CN7, 9, and 10 play a directly innervating role in the sensation of taste.

Which of the following has the most sensory receptors

• Eyes

• Nose

• Ears

• Mouth

Contains muscles that control pupil size based on autonomic reflexes

• Retina

• Cornea

• Lens

• Iris

Exact center of the retina

• Fovea centralis

• Optic disc

• Macula lutea

• Lamina cribrosa