The ear is a sensory organ that picks up sound waves, allowing us to hear. It is also essential to our sense of balance: the organ of balance (the vestibular system) is found inside the inner ear. It is made up of three semicircular canals and two otolith organs, known as the utricle and the saccule. The semicircular canals and the otolith organs are filled with fluid.
Structure of the ear and the vestibular system
Each of the semicircular canals end in a space that has small hair cells in it. These spaces are called ampullae. Whenever we turn our head, the inner ear turns along with it. But it takes a very brief moment for the fluid in the semicircular canals and ampullae to move with our head too. This means that the sensory hair cells in the ear are bent by the “slow” fluid. The hair cells then send this information to the brain via nerves.
Each of the three semicircular canals is responsible for a specific direction of head movement: One of the canals responds to the head
tilting upwards or downwards,
one responds to it tilting to the right or to the left, and
one responds to it turning sideways.
The otolith organs are found diagonally under the semicircular canals and have a similar function: There are also thin sensory hair cells in both organs. The difference is that, unlike in the semicircular canals, there are small crystals on the hair cells – like pebbles on a carpet. These crystals are called otoliths or “ear rocks.” The otolith organs detect acceleration, for instance when you take an elevator, fall, or gather speed or brake in a car.
Information coming from the vestibular system is processed in the brain and then sent on to other organs that need this information, such as the eyes, joints or muscles. This allows us to keep our balance and know what position our body is in.
In some situations, for example on a ship or airplane, different sensory organs (e.g. the eyes and the organ of balance) send contradictory messages to the brain. This can cause us to feel unwell, dizzy or nauseous.
The vestibular system is especially sensitive in children, and reacts more slowly to movements as we grow older. Inner ear infections and other problems may also affect how well our sense of balance works.
Sources
Menche N (Ed). Biologie Anatomie Physiologie. München: Urban und Fischer; 2012.
Pschyrembel W. Klinisches Wörterbuch. Berlin: De Gruyter; 2014.
Schmidt RF, Lang F, Heckmann M (Ed). Physiologie des Menschen. Mit Pathophysiologie. Heidelberg: Springer; 2011.
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Our sense of balance is controlled by signals to the brain from three sensory systems:vestibular
vestibular
In humans the vestibular nerve transmits sensory information transmitted by vestibular hair cells located in the two otolith organs (the utricle and the saccule) and the three semicircular canals via the vestibular ganglion of Scarpa.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Vestibular_nerve
Your brain uses the messages it receives from your eyes; your ears (including the inner ear, which contains the vestibular system); and other body parts (e.g., muscles, joints, skin) to help you keep your balance. A balance disorder can negatively impact your life. For example, it can make you more likely to fall.
One plate holds an object of unknown mass (or weight), while objects of known mass or weight, called weights, are added to the other plate until mechanical equilibrium is achieved and the plates level off, which happens when the masses on the two plates are equal. The perfect scale rests at neutral.
The ear is a sensory organ that picks up sound waves, allowing us to hear. It is also essential to our sense of balance: the organ of balance (the vestibular system) is found inside the inner ear. It is made up of three semicircular canals and two otolith organs, known as the utricle and the saccule.
Nerve fibers from the inner ears send balance information to the brain. Within the brainstem these nerve fibers participate in an extensive neural network involving nerves from the eyes, the cerebellum, and the positional receptors or “proprioceptors” located in the feet, legs, trunk, arms, and neck.
Add to word list Add to word list. B2 [ S or U ] the ability to remain standing, especially because your weight is equally distributed (= spread): lose your balance The toddler wobbled and lost his balance (= started to fall sideways).
Balance basically means being able to stay upright and steady, whether you're still or moving. We all know that physical activity, in any form, is good for our general health. But being able to balance – along with muscle and bone strength – underpins all physical activities we do.
A simple balance has two pans suspended from the ends of arms of equal length. When it is balanced, the pointer is at 0. Four masses in total are placed on the pans, with one or more on pan X and the rest on pan Y.
A properly functioning balance system allows humans to see clearly while moving, identify orientation with respect to gravity, determine direction and speed of movement, and make automatic postural adjustments to maintain posture and stability in various conditions and activities.
Losing your balance while walking, or feeling imbalanced, can result from: Vestibular problems. Abnormalities in your inner ear can cause a sensation of a floating or heavy head and unsteadiness in the dark. Nerve damage to your legs (peripheral neuropathy).
Cerebellum. While the present results suggest that nearly every region of the brain is involved in balance, cerebellar gray and white matter had the highest count of findings, suggesting the key role of the cerebellum in balance acquisition and ability.
The vestibular system, which is the system of balance, consists of 5 distinct end organs: 3 semicircular canals that are sensitive to angular accelerations (head rotations) and 2 otolith organs that are sensitive to linear (or straight-line) accelerations.
Losing your balance while walking, or feeling imbalanced, can result from: Vestibular problems. Abnormalities in your inner ear can cause a sensation of a floating or heavy head and unsteadiness in the dark. Nerve damage to your legs (peripheral neuropathy).
Certain conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, or problems with your vision, thyroid, nerves, or blood vessels can cause dizziness and other balance problems.
But specific exercises designed to improve your balance are helpful to include in your daily routine and can help improve your stability. For example, balance on one foot while you're standing for a period of time at home or when you're out and about. Or, stand up from a seated position without using your hands.
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