Vestibular System

Question 2

Describe the physical organization of the 5 vestibular organs:

Question 3

Describe the anatomy of:

The maculae in the utricle & saccule

Question 4

How does head tilt affect the otoconia -> the otolithic membrane -> hair cell stereocilia

Question 5

Explain the anatomy of the ampulla with its capula

Question 6

Describe the transduction process in the vestibular hair cells

Question 7

Choose a direction of rotation of the head about the horiz. axis

Explain the direction of movement of the endolymph in the right and left horizontal semicircular canals.
How does it affect the polarization of hair cells?

Remember direction selectivity of the hair cell stereocilia

Question 8

Trace the pathway of

Vestibular input → vestibular nuclei → SS cortex → oculomotor nuclei*

*Involved in the vestibulo-ocular reflex

Question 9

Explain the physiology of the:

Vestibulu-ocular reflex

Don’t forget about the antagonistic muslces of the eye

If you rotate the head to the left but want to continue to move forward, the eyes rotate to the right to maintain gaze