ch 3b- sensory contribution continued Flashcards
Vestibular system
detects head motion/acceleration and body movements
components of vestibular system
-Otoliths: saccule and utricle
-Semicircular canal: posterior, superior and horizontal
Otoliths
sense linear head acceleration
-saccule detect acceleration in vertical plane
-utricle detects acceleration in horizontal plane
Semicircular canals
sense angular head acceleration
(rotation or tilting)
saccule
vertical linear acceleration
utricle
horizontal acceleration
how to semicircular canals detect movement?
canals are filled w endolymph (rich in K+), endolymph displaces cupula when head moves. cupula has hair cells embedded
–> depolarization because influx on K+, action potential
How do otoliths detect movement?
otolithic membrane contains otoconia stones. lags behind head motion, deflects hair cells
–> action potential
functions of the vestibular system
- gaze stabilization (via vestibular ocular reflex; head moves then eyes move)
- postural stabilization= maintain balance via vestibulospinal reflexes
GVS (galvanic vestibular stimulation)
current on bones behind ears. activates vestibular afferents and hair cells causing illusion of head tilt and results in compensatory tilt in opposite direction
cathode (-) on right side
perceive head tilt right
anode (+) on right side
perceive head tilt left
visual field
region of space where the eye sees. shifts w eye movements
central vision
identifying details. mostly cones
peripheral vision
where things are. envmt context and limb movement. mostly rods