PYB102 Study Guide - Final Guide: Vestibular Nuclei, Sea Salt, Olfactory Nerve

• School: QUT
• Department: Psychology and Counselling
• Course: PYB102
• Professor: Brooke Andrew

Document Summary

Acceleration is an increase in the velocity of the body. Movements such as running forward and even tilting your head require acceleration. It is the vestibular systems of our bodies which are designed to detect these various accelerations. Semicircular canals are small canals inside the temporal bone (behind the ear). These are fluid-filled and help us detect movement and motion. This is done through the inertia of the fluid in these canals, which pushes against the cupula, which stimulates the tiny hair cells within it and transmits the notion of rotary movement to the brain. Within around 25 30 seconds of acceleration, the fluid inside the canals catches up with the motion of the body, which prevents the cupula from being pushed any longer. Two small organs in the vestibule (behind the ear). These detect gravity and movement of the entire body. They do so in a way similar to the semicircular canals.