Vestibular System Flashcards
What are the 5 components of the vestibular system?
- Peripheral receptor apparatus
- Central vestibular nuclei
- Vestibulo-ocular network
- Vestibulospinal network
- Vestibulo-thalamo-cortical network
What are the 2 portions of the peripheral vestibular labyrinth?
- Bony labyrinth
- Membranous labyrinth
In what bone is the bony labyrinth found?
Petrous portion of temporal bone
Where is the peripheral vestibular labyrinth located in relation to the cochlea?
- Posterior and lateral
Where is the membranous labyrinth found? What is it?
- A membrane of simple epithelium (the membranous labyrinth) is found within the bony labyrinth
Where is perilymph found?
Between the bony and membranous labyrinth
Where is the endolymph found?
Inside the membranous labyrinth.
What are the 5 portions of the membranous labyrinth?
- Utricle
- Saccule
- 3 semicircular canals
What structures make up the static labyrinth?
- Utricle
- Saccule
What type of structures are the utricle and saccule?
- Otolith organs
What are the 3 semi-circular canals?
- Anterior
- Horizontal
- Posterior
What are the 3 functions of the static labyrinth?
- Monitor absolute position of head in space (posture/ balance)
- Maintain eye position
- Perception of linear acceleration and deceleration
Which otolith organ pertains to horizontal movement?
Utricle
Which otolith organ pertains to vertical movement?
Saccule
Which labyrinth pertains to pitch and roll of the head?
Static
Which labyrinth pertains to yaw of the head?
Dynamic
What is the name of the specialized region within the otolith organs?
Macula
Describe the structure of the macula.
- Epithelial cells “hair cells” with special cilia called stereocilia and a single kinocilium on their apical surfaces
- Hairs extend upward into gelatinous substance containing otoconia (calcium carbonate crystals)
If the otoconia bend away from a kinocilia, what is the effect?
- Decreased Afferent Activity
If the otoconia bend towards the kinocilia, what is the effect?
- Increased afferent activity
What is the linear vestibulo-ocular reflex?
- Eyes are remain positioned as the head tilts (??)