vestibular system does a few things balance and equlibrium. it does this via
- semi circular canals (3 per ear)
- otolith organ (ear stones) utrricle and saccule
- membranous labyrinth (endolymph fluid)
- hair cells (these transduce movement and motion into what we hear)\
cochlea is embedded deep into the petrous part of the temporal bone
semicircular canal acts as an rotational inertiaaccelerometer opposite pairs act in together
semicircular canal has a few coimponents ampulla (swelling of the canal), crista ampullaris, cupula, hari cells
the ampulla has haricelll embedded and at motion, it tilts as a diaphragm which senses pressure differential
otolith tanslational inertia accelarometer
why to make reflexes and posture and balance possibe VOR - visual fixaiton - tracking things despite head movement nystagmus caloric testing