Vestibular function Flashcards
What are the labyrinths in the ear?
Fluid filled membraneous tubes embedded in the temporal bone
What do the sensory cells in the labyrinths detect?
Tilt of head
Angular accelleration
What is the fluid in the labyrinth called?
Endolymph
What is the kinocilium?
The largest of the hairs protruding from the sensory cells of the labyrinth.
How do these cilia maintain balance?
Distortion in direction of kinocilium = increased AP
Distortion in the opposite direction = decreased AP’s
What organ detects head tilt and how?
Macula - Cilia are in a jelly containing CaCO3 crystals called otoliths. These are distorted on gravitational changes so cilia sense change
What movement does the utriculus sense?
side to side tilt
What movement does the sacculus detect?
Forward to back
How does the gelatinous cupula work?
When the skull turns, the endolymph pushes on the cupula and stimulates the cells under’st. If at constant velocity, the endolymph goes at same speed so no shearing forces.
