vestibular system Flashcards
5 components of the vestibular system
- peripheral receptor apparatus
- central vestibular nuclei
- vestibuloocular network
- vestibulospinal network
- vestibulothalamocortical network
peripheral receptor apparatus
in the inner ear, responsible for transducing head motion/position
central vestibular nuclei
brainstem - integrating and distributing info that controls motor activities and spacial orientation
vestibuloocular network
vestibular nuclei - involved in the control of eye movements
vestibulospinal network
coordinates head movements, axial musclulature, and postural reflexes
receptor structures in the vestibular labyrinth
- 3 semicircular canals
- 2 otolith organs
labyrinth components
- bony labyrinth
- membranous labyrinth
bony labyrinth
protective convering/shell that houses the fluid-filled system, the membranous labyrinth
membranous labyrinth
consits of connecting tubes and prominences that house vestibular receptors
perilymph
in the space between membranous labyrinth and bony labyrinth
-similar ionic composition to CSF
endolymph
fills membranous labyrinth
What bathes the vestibular portion of CN VIII?
perilymph
What covers sensory receptors for both vestibular and auditory systems?
endolymph
What does a disturbance in the ionic concentration between perilymph and endolymph cause?
vestibular disease
How is the ionic contents of perilymph and endolymph maintained?
specialized secretory cells in membranous labyrinth and endolymphatic sac
semicircular canals
3: horizontal, anterior, posterior
function: rotational head movements (angular acceleration)
otolith organs
2: utricle, saccule
function: translational head movements (linear accelerations)
What are receptor cells in vestibular organs innervated by?
primary afferent fibers of the vestibular ganglion (Scarpa’s ganglion)
What type of cells are in the vestibular receptor organs?
bipolar cells
Where do the central processes of bipolar cells of the vestibular receptor organs enter and terminate?
brainstem and terminate in the ipsilateral vestibular nuclei and cerebellum
What way is the horizontal semicircular canal oriented?
in a plane slightly tilted anterodorsally. becomes parallel with ground when running and looking a few meters in front of feet.
blood supply to the vestibular system
- labyrinthine artery from the anterior inferior cerebellar artery
- stylomastoid artery branches to the labyrinth semicircular canals (not primary source)
path of labyrinthine artery
enters temporal bone through the internal auditory meatus
What functions will be obstructed by occlusion to labyrinthine artery?
vestibular and cochlear function –> vertigo, nystagmus, unstable gait
What do the ducts of semicircular canals connect to?
utricle
What is the ampulla?
ducts of semicircular canals ending in a single prominent enlargement with sensory receptors for the semicircular canals at the base
Where are the receptors in the utricle?
oriented longitudinally along its base
How are receptors oriented in the saccule?
vertically oriented along medial wall
Where does endolymph from the labyrinth drain?
into endolymphatic sinus via small ducts.
-endolymphatic sinus communicates with endolymphatic duct with the endolymphatic sac
Where is the endolymphatic sac?
adjacent to dura mater
How is the saccule connected to the cochlea?
ductus reuniens
What is Meniere’s disease?
disruption of normal endolymph volume or comparison composition of endolymph vs perilymph resulting in endolymphatic hydrops (an abnormal distention of the membranous labyrinth)
symptoms of meniere’s disease
- fluctuating hearing loss
- vertigo
- postitional nystagmus
- nausea
- unpredictable attacks of auditory and vestibular symptoms including vomiting, tinnitus, and inability to make head movements or stand passively
Meniere’s disease treatment
- diuretic and salt-restricted diet to reduce hydrops
- impantation of a small shunt into swollen endolymphatic sac
What are vestibulosensory receptors?
hair cells with 60-100 hexagonally arranged stereocilia and a single longer kinocilium that project from apical surface