Vestibular Examination Flashcards
___ vestibular problems are more common
-peripheral (inner ear)
Team Approach
- PCP
- Neurologist
- Otolaryngolist
- Audiologist
- Psychologic/Psychiatrist
- PT/OT
Vestibular Function
- stabilize visual images on the retina (gaze stabilization)
- maintain postural stability
- provide information needed for spatial orientation
Vertigo
-turning: sense of movement of oneself or environment
Disequilibrium
-sense of imbalance
Oscillopsia
- sense of motion in environment
- Like cop camera
Dizziness
- common problem & reason for referral
- lightheadedness, nervousness, disequilibrium
Peripheral Vestibular Anatomy
- bony labyrinth
- membranous labyrinth
Bony Labyrinth
- 3 semicircular canals (horizontal, anterior, posterior)
- cochlea
- vestibule
- perilymphatic fluid
Membranous Labyrinth
- within bony labyrinth
- 5 sensory organs
- saccule, utricle
- motion sensors
- endolymph
Semicircular Canals
- 3
- ant, post, horizontal
- detect angular acceleration
Receptors
- ampula
- maculae
Ampulla
- small bulge at end of each semicircular canal
- contain haircells that project into cupula
- fires receptor cells
Maculae
- receptors for utricle and saccule
- Covering: statoconia
Hair Cells
-project in groups, arranged according to height
each hair cell has:
- 40-70 stereocilia
- 1 kinocilium
Hair Cells innervated by:
-afferent neuron
- excite: cilia move toward kinocilium
- Inhibit: cilia move away from kinocilium
Saccule
-linear accelearation
Utricle
-horizontal linear acceleration or static head tilt
SCC Pairings
- L/R horizontal
- L ant/R post
- R ant/L post
Firing of Vestibular receptors
- respond to brief head movements
- accommodate with ongoing movements
Central Vestibular System Anatomy
- 4 vestibular nuclei
- connect to: Mm, Nn controling eye movements, reticular formation, thalamus, cerebral cortex and cerebellum