Vestibular Function Flashcards
What does the vestibular system control?
Posture and balance
Where is the vestibular system found?
Inner ear
Where are labyrinths embedded?
In the temporal bone
How many semi-circular canals are there?
3
What are the semi-circular canals all connected to?
Saccule
At what angle are the semi-circular canals to each other?
Right angles
What is the swelling at the base of the semi-circular canals called?
Ampulla
What do the ampulla contain?
Sensory hair cells
Cristae
What is the utricle?
Swelling at the anterior base of the ampulla
What is the saccule?
Swelling below the utricle
What are the utricle and saccule collectively known as?
Otolith organs
What do otolith organs detect?
Linear acceleration and encode information about the position of the head in space
What is back/front tilt detected by?
Utricle
What is vertical movement detected by?
Saccule
Where is rotational movement detected?
Semi circular canals
Where are the sensory cells of semi-circular canals located?
Ampulla
What are the sensory receptors in the ampulla called?
Cristae
What is located at the base of the cupula?
Sensory hair cells
What are cupula?
Gelatinous structure that stretch across the entire width of the ampulla
What do the cilia or hair cells synapse directly with?
Sensory neurons of the vestibular nerve
What is CN VIII?
Vestibulocochlear nerve
What movement do the hair cells in the gelatinous material of the ampulla detect?
Rotational acceleration