What Is the Vestibular Sense?
The vestibular sense, or vestibular sensory system, controls the body's sense of balance and equilibrium. It is composed of fluid-filled structures in the inner ear that send signals to the brain through the acoustic cranial nerve.
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Significance
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By providing balance and equilibrium, the vestibular sense determines the body's ability to judge the effects of direction and gravity. In this way, it makes it possible to stand, move, walk and run.
The Facts
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The vestibular system sits in the inner ear near the sound production center called the cochlea. It consists of three semi-circular canals, each of which contain a special fluid called endolymph, as well as a sensory receptor called a cupula.
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Tracking Movement
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According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, each canal in the vestibular system sits at right angles to the other, and tracks different forms of motion. In combination, the three canals track side-to-side, up-and-down and tilting movements.
Additional Structures
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In addition to the semi-circular canals, the vestibular system contains two structures called the utricle and saccule. They provide the brain with information on the position of the head when no movement is occurring.
Coordinating Sensory Input
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Information from the vestibular system is coordinated in the brain with input from the eyes and muscles.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Cameron Cassan
