The Vestibular System Flashcards
Where is the vestibular system located ?
The labyrinth in the inner ear
What is the role of the vestibular system ?
Balance and spatial orientation
What are the 2 structures that make up the labyrinth?
Semicircular canals and otoliths
What structure is sensitive to Angular accelerations such as head rotations?
Semicircular canals
What structure is sensitive to linear accelerations such as moving forward-back and up-down?
The otoliths
Name the two otoliths and what they do?
Saccule- gravity such as head tilts up and down
Utricle- acceleration such as forward and backwards
If I was to tilt my head forward:
1) which type of structure is responsible for this
2) what subtype of this structure controls for this?
3) where would the hair cells lean?
1) otoliths
2) saccules
3) forward
If I was to decelerate:
1) what type of system is responsible for this?
2) what subtype of organ controls for this?
3) which way would the hair cells lean?
1) the otoliths
2) utricles
3) forward
How is an action potential within the otoliths created?
Through the bending of the hair cells
If I was to spin to the right on a chair:
1) which system is responsible for this?
2) which way would the cupula bend?
1) the semicircular canals
2) to the right
Explain how action potentials are created by the semicircular canals.
Semicircular canals are filled with fluid which moves as body moves. The canals also contain a cupula that wants to stay stationary but the fluid pressure causes it to bend. This bending sends signals to the brain.
What is the vestibulo-ocular reflex?
The reflex where the eyes remain constant as the body and head moves
What’s the name of the condition when people don’t have a vestibulo-ocular reflex?
Oscillopsia
