Vestibular System

Question 1

the vestibular system is essential in the control of ….. and …….

Answer 1

posture

balance

Question 2

the vestibular system is found in the …..

Answer 2

inner ear

Question 3

the vestibular system is a series of fluid filled membranous tubes (labyrinths) which are embedded in which bone?

Answer 3

temporal

Question 4

what are the 3 parts of the vestibular apparatus?

Answer 4

3 semi-circular canals

utricle (connects canals)

saccule

Question 5

ampulla

Answer 5

swellings at the base of the semi-circular canals

Question 6

ampulla contain what structures?

Answer 6

sensory hair cells

Question 7

the two otolith organs

Answer 7

utricle

saccule

Question 8

back and forth head tilt is detected by

Answer 8

utricle

Question 9

vertical movement is detected by

Answer 9

saccule

Question 10

rotational acceleration is detected by

Answer 10

semi-circular canals

Question 11

inside the ampulla are sensory receptors called

Answer 11

christae

Question 12

christae consist of a flexible gelatinous structure called ……. that stretches across the entire width of the ampulla

Answer 12

cupula

Question 13

cupula responds to movement of what within the canals?

Answer 13

endolymph fluid

Question 14

what are embedded within the gelatinous cupula in the canals?

Answer 14

cilia of hair cells

Question 15

cilia of hair cells in the cupula synapse directly with what?

Answer 15

sensory neurons of the vestibular nerve (CNVIII)

Question 16

two types of cilia of the hair cells

single very large ones are called

Answer 16

kinocilium

Question 17

two types of cilia of the hair cells

progressively larger ones are called

Answer 17

sterocilia

Question 18

distortion of the cilia in the direction of the kinocilium causes what?

Answer 18

depolarisation and increased discharge of APs in the vestibular nerve

Question 19

distortion os the cilia away from the direction of the kinocilium causes what?

Answer 19

hyperpolarisation and decreased discharges of APs in the vestibular nerve

Question 20

the sensory apparatus of the utricle and saccule are collectively knoen as the

Answer 20

maculae

Question 21

tha macula in the utricle are in the …….. plane

Answer 21

horizontal

Question 22

the saccule in the utricle are in the …… plane

Answer 22

vertical

Question 23

what can be used to test vestibular function?

Answer 23

nystagmus

Question 24

vertigo is the

Answer 24

perception of movement in the absence of movement

Question 25

what conditions can lead to nystagmus?

Answer 25

labyrinthitis

menieres disease

lesions of the brainstem