NROC64H3 Chapter 11: chapter 11- vestibular system

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11 Feb 2012
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The vestibular system monitors the position and movement of the head, gives us a sense of balance and equilibrium, and helps coordinate movements of the head and eyes. The vestibular and auditory systems both use hair cells to transduce movements. In mammals, all hair cells are contained within sets of interconnected chambers called the vestibular labyrinth (see fig. Ultimately, these structures transmit mechanical energy, derived from head movement, to its hair cells. The saccule and utricle detect changes of head angle as well as linear acceleration of the head. Each otolith organ contains a sensory epithelium called a macula. y vertically oriented within the saccule and horizontally oriented within the utricle. The vestibular macula contains hair cells (see fig. 11. 29). Movements are transduced when the hair bundles are deflected. y the otolith organs contain tiny crystals of calcium carbonate called otoliths which encrust the surface of the macula s gelatinous cap. This is key to the tilt sensitivity of the macula.

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