Vocabulary Sense Organs

• Cornea: Clear, protective covering on the outside of the eye that helps focus light.



• Hyperopia: Vision problem in which distant objects are clear but nearby objects look blurry; also called farsightedness.



• Iris: Colored structure at the front of the eye.



• Lens: Clear, curved structure in the eye that focuses light on the retina.



• Myopia: Vision problem in which nearby objects are clear but distant objects look blurry; also called nearsightedness.



• Pupil: Black opening in the iris that lets light enter the eye.



• Retina: Layer of light-sensing cells that covers the back of the eye.



• Vision: Ability to see light.



• Anvil: Second of three tiny bones that pass vibrations through the ear.



• Cochlea: Liquid-filled structure in the ear that senses vibrations and generates nerve impulses in response.



• Ear: Sense organ that detects sound.



• Ear canal: Tube-shaped opening in the ear that carries sound waves to the eardrum. Eardrum: Membrane in the ear that vibrates when sound waves hit it.



• Hammer: First of three tiny bones that pass vibrations through the ear.



• Hearing: Ability to sense sound.



• Oval window: Membrane in the ear that passes vibrations from the stirrup to the cochlea.



• Pinna: Outer part of the ear that gathers sound waves.



• Semicircular canals: Liquid-filled part of the ear that senses changes in position and generates nerve impulses in response.



• Smell: Ability to perceive odors.



• Stirrup: Last of three tiny bones that pass vibrations through the ear.



• Taste buds: Tiny bumps on the tongue that contain taste neurons.



• Touch: Sense of pain, pressure, or temperature.