What Is a Vestibular System?
The vestibular system is the system in the body that maintains balance, posture and the body's orientation in space. This system also regulates locomotion and other movements and helps keep objects in visual focus as the body moves.
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Functions
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The vestibular system does more than allowing people to maintain balance, move throughout space and stand upright. It also coordinates information from the vestibular organs in the inner ear, the eyes, muscles and joints, fingertips and the palms of the hands.
Features
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The vestibular system consists of five distinct organs: three semicircular canals and two otolith organs. These organs are located in the petrous part of the temporal bone near the cochlea.
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Otolith Organs
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The otolith organs consist of the saccule and utricle. They sense gravity and translational movements.
Semicircular Canals
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The three semicircular canals sense angular acceleration in three plans. They are located at right angles to each other. At the base of each canal is a swelling, called an ampulla. Inside the ampullae are the sensory receptors for each canal.
Dysfunctions
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Dysfunctions in the vestibular system can cause anxiety or panic attacks. It can also cause a need for self-stimulation, abnormalities in muscle tone, problems defacating, teeth grinding and chin tapping, hand flapping, academic problems and drooling.
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