Physiology 4710A/B Lecture Notes - Lecture 10: Bony Labyrinth, Optokinetic Response, Endolymph
Document Summary
The sense of balance originates in the labyrinth. Your sense of balance is associated with your sense of hearing. The bony labyrinth is a convoluted system of tunnels in the skull that contains the sensors for hearing and balance (auditory and vestibular systems) The sense of balance originates from the labyrinth: called a labyrinth because it is like a labyrinth of tunnels inside of the bone, the inside of these tunnels is lined with a membrane. Inside of the tunnel is also fluid: perilymph (similar to extracellular fluid) is found between the bone and the membrane, perilymph inside canals. On one side of the membrane you have perilymph, on the other side you have enodlymph. Note: endolymph was the fluid containing high concentration of potassium that was entering the hair cells of your auditory system: the same thing is happening here. The sensors for hearing are close to those for balance because they have a common origin.