Skip to Content

Sensory Systems

Unit code: HET226

Credit points12.5 Credit Points
Duration1 Semester
Contact hoursApproximately 4 Hours per Week
CampusHawthorn
PrerequisitesHET102 Introductory Physiology or HET133 Human Physiology
CorequisitesNil

Aims and objectives

To introduce the final component of the human sensory neurosciences and to examine higher cortical function associated with normal and dysfunctional brains.

Teaching methods

Lectures and Practical Work

Assessment

Assignments, Examinations, Pracs

Content

  • Vision, gross anatomy, micro-structure of retina, regulation of pressure, visual pathways, cortical and subcortical areas, evoked potentials, control of eye movements.
  • Visually evoked potentials: Evoked potentials of cognition.
  • Auditory and vestibular: gross anatomy of ear; cochlear, hair cells, labyrinths, coding of auditory information, cortical and subcortical areas, vestibular systems, optokinetic reflex.
  • Auditory evoked potentials: brainstem, clinical testing.
  • Chemical sense: Olfaction and taste, structures of mouth, nose, transduction at olfactory epithelium, pathway to cortex, taste receptors, classes of taste, interaction between smell, taste and trigeminal responses; perception and measurement.
  • Sensory interactions and interactions between the special senses.

Reading materials

Goldstein EB, Sensation and Perception, 6th edn, Wadsworth, USA, 2002.
Martini, F, Fundamentals of Anatomy & Physiology, 4th edn, PrenticeHall International, 1998.