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1016MSC - Sem 1.5 > WEEK 8 - Topic 18 - Equilibrium (Overview & Maculae) > Flashcards

WEEK 8 - Topic 18 - Equilibrium (Overview & Maculae) Flashcards

1
Q

(REVISION) Equilibrium is considered a general or special sense?

A

Special sense.

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2
Q

Where are the equilibrium receptors located?

A

Semicircular canals

Vestibule

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3
Q

What does equilibrium depend on?

A
  • Inputs from internal ear - receptors of the vestibular apparatus
  • Vision - input from visual receptors
  • Info from stretch receptors of muscles and tendons - somatic receptors
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4
Q

What is the vestibular apparatus? And what is its function?

A

Equilibrium receptors in the semicircular canals and vestibule.

It maintains our orientation and balance in space.

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5
Q

What are the two functional types of equilibrium receptors?

A

Vestibular receptors located in the sensory receptor organ called the macula (pl. maculae)

Semicircular canal receptors located in the sensory receptor organ called the crista ampullaris (pl. cristae ampullares)

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6
Q

What are the maculae and what is their function?

A

The maculae are the sensory receptor organs for static equilibrium. Each macula is a flat epithelial patch containing hair cells and supporting cells.

They monitor position of head in space and hence control posture and they also respond to linear acceleration (changes in straight-line speed and direction but not rotation).

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7
Q

Where are the maculae located in the vestibule?

A

One in the utricle

One in the saccule

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8
Q

What is each hair cell of the internal ear composed of?

A

Each hair cell has stereocilia and one kinocilium, which are embedded in the overlying otolithic membrane.

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9
Q

What is the otolithic membrane?

A

The otolithic membrane is a jelly-like mass studded with tiny CaCO3 crystals called otoliths.

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10
Q

How are the macula and hairs oriented in the utricle?

A

The macula is horizontal and the hairs are vertically oriented.

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11
Q

How are the macula and hairs oriented in the saccule?

A

The macula is vertical and the hairs are horizontally oriented.

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12
Q

Function of macula in the utricle and give example

A

They respond to horizontal movement and tilting of the head to the side.

(e.g. riding a Ferrari)

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13
Q

Why doesn’t the macula in the utricle respond to vertical movements?

A

Because vertical movements do not displace their horizontal otolithic membrane

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14
Q

Function of macula in the saccule and give example

A

They respond to vertical movement.

e.g. acceleration in an elevator

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15
Q

What do the hair cells synapse with?

A

Fibres of the vestibular nerve

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16
Q

The vestibular nerve is subdivision of what nerve?

A

Vestibulocochlear nerve (VII)

17
Q

(REVISION) What is transduction?

A

The transforming of one form of energy into another, as by the sensory mechanisms of the body

18
Q

Hair cells release neurotransmitters continuously. True or false?

A

True

19
Q

What releases neurotransmitters in the maculae?

A

Hair cells

20
Q

What factor modifies the amount of neurotransmitters released by the hair cells?

A

Movement of the hairs

21
Q

What happens when the hairs bend towards the kinocilium?

A
  1. Hair cells depolarise
  2. More neurotransmitters released
  3. Depolarises vestibular nerve
  4. Frequency of APs generated increases
22
Q

What happens when the hairs bend away from the kinocilium?

A
  1. Hair cells hyperpolarise
  2. Less neurotransmitters released
  3. Hyperpolarises vestibular nerve
  4. Frequency of APS generated decreases
23
Q

What happens when your head starts or stops moving in a linear motion?

A

Inertia causes the otolithic membrane to slide over the hair cells, bending the hairs.

This informs the brain of the changing position of the head in space.

24
Q

What do the receptors for equilibrium and orientation allow us to do?

A

Allow our body to respond reflexively

  • Eye movements (remain focused on visual field)
  • Body movements (change position to maintain balance)
25
Q

What are otoliths?

A

Tiny CaCO3 crystals

26
Q

What kind of transduction is the generation of AP from bending of hair?

A

Mechanotransduction

27
Q

What do the hair cells synapse with?

A

The vestibular nerve fibres

1016MSC - Sem 1.5 (16 decks)

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