Balance and Equilibrium of the Ear, Vestibular Transduction

Question 1

this is a state of balance that allows us to position our body in three-dimensional space under normal gravitational conditions

Answer 1

equilibrium

Question 2

this is maintained through the hair cells in the fluid filled vestibular apparatus and the hair cells semicircular canals of the inner ear

Answer 2

balance

Question 3

these provide the force that moves the cilia of hair cells which act as mechanoreceptors

Answer 3

gravity and acceleration

Question 4

what are the two components of equilibrium?

Answer 4

a dynamic component - rotational movement of the head

a static component - senses head displacement

Question 5

how are rotational movements detected?

Answer 5

hair cells in the semicircular canals

Question 6

how are gravitational changes detected?

Answer 6

otolith organs in the maculae at base of semicircular canals

Question 7

these are the body’s balance mechanism?

Answer 7

the semicircular canals

Question 8

what is the role of the vestibule system?

Answer 8

Conscious perception in space/head in space
Stabilization of Gaze
Postural Stability
Dizziness and Vertigo
Disorders of eye movement/eye control
Disorders of posture /locomotion (Ataxias)

Question 9

what are the two sac like structures of the otolith organs? what is the sensory area of these organs?

Answer 9

utricle (horizontal) and the saccule (vertical); sensory area is called the macula

Question 10

a gelatinous matrix that houses the cilia that emerge from the hair cells of the macula contain small piles of?

Answer 10

calcium carbonate crystals, called eoliths (ear stones) and have greater specific gravity than the surrounding tissue