Vestibular System

Question 1

What is the anatomical function of the saccule?

Answer 1

The saccule is the otolithic organ that detects linear acceleration and head tilts in the vertical plane.

Question 2

What is the anatomical function of the utricle?

Answer 2

The utricle is the otolithic organ that senses linear accelerations and head tilts in the horizontal plane.

Question 3

What is the anatomical function of the superior semicircular canal?

Answer 3

The superior semicircular canal is part of the vestibular end organ in the inner ear that senses rotational acceleration of the head when the head is rotated in anteriorly (ie, nodding “yes”).

Question 4

What is the anatomical function of the posterior semicircular canal?

Answer 4

The posterior semicircular canal is part of the vestibular end organ in the inner ear that senses rotational acceleration of the head when the head is rotated downward and to the side (ie, ear-to-shoulder).

Question 5

What is the anatomical function of the lateral semicircular canal?

Answer 5

The lateral semicircular canal is part of the vestibular end organ in the inner ear that senses rotational acceleration of the head when the head is turned to the side (ie, heading turning to indicate “no”).

Question 6

What is labyrinthitis?

Answer 6

Labyrinthitis is an inflammation of the labyrinth. Symptoms include vertigo, vomiting, and nystagmus. It may result from viral infections, bacterial infections, or head trauma.

Question 7

What is vestibular neuritis?

Answer 7

Vestibular neuritis is neuritis accompanied by vertigo, nausea and vomiting, and gait disturbance of relatively acute onset, usually caused by inflammatory processes within the body labyrinth of the ear.