The Vestibular System

Question 1

What are the 3 organs in the vestibular system?

Answer 1

Semicircular canals, posterier canals, horizontal

Question 2

Why are there 3 organs in the vestibular system?

Answer 2

Each organ corresponds with each plane (3D)

Question 3

What are hair cells?

Answer 3

Sensory neurons in the inner ear

Question 4

How are hair cells activated?

Answer 4

Physical movement of a salt solution

Question 5

How do hair cells send out signals?

Answer 5

Physically activated signals have a guard on them.

Ion channels are connected to the next hair tip and when they move the distance between them gets bigger.

The “spring” connector pulls on the tether and allows the ions to come in. The more movement (more depolarized), the more ions are allowed through

Question 6

What is the path that a neurotransmitter takes from the ear canal?

Answer 6

Inner ear, brain stem (vestibular nucleus), cerebellum/head and eye muscles