The Vestibular

System
Lesson 18
Orientation: The Vestibular System
Position & motion of body in space
critical for adaptive interaction
largely unnoticed
except unusual conditions
motion sickness: nausea, dizziness
Maintenance of balance & posture
coordinating body position with other
sensory information ~
Receptors for Orientation
Inner ear
Gravity detectors
plane of reference
Mechanoreceptors
Vestibular Organs
otocysts
saccule
utricle
semicircular canals ~
Otocysts
Liquid-filled ear sacs
lined with hair cells
contain otoliths
ear stones : direction of acceleration
saccule: vertical movement
utricle: horizontal movement ~
At rest
tilted
Acceleration
to right
Direction of gravity
Semicircular Canals
Rotary acceleration
direction & extent of circular movement
any direction
3 fluid-filled canals
right angles to each other
1 for each major plane
Movement causes fluid to circulate
displaces cupula ~
Semicircular canals
Utricle
Ampulla
Crista
hair cells
Cupula
Vestibular Pathway
Vestibulocochlear nerve (VIII)
Some axons directly to cerebellum
Most axons to medulla
vestibular nuclei
cerebellum, spinal cord, medulla &
pons
motor nuclei for eyes (III, IV, & VI)
compensates for movement of head
temporal cortex (dizziness) ~
Vestibular Stimulation
Perceive movement in an airplane?
No, persisting passive movement
Otoliths, fluid move at same speed
Vestibular system detects active
movements
changes in rate of motion
acceleration
heating/cooling fluid perception of
body motion ~
Visual Illusions of Movement
Self vection
perceive you are moving, but not
2 adjacent trains, cars
restricted visual field
no background information ~
Visual Illusions of Movement
Postural sway
visual cues help maintain posture
illuminated booth, that can sway
individual sways with surroundings
no vestibular stimulation ~
Motion Sickness
During passive transportation
e.g. riding in car, but not when driving
unusual circumstances
e.g amusement park rides
usually not steady motion
Symptoms: nausea, dizziness, vertigo,
cold sweats, hyperventilation ~
Cause of Motion Sickness
Sensory conflict theory
Mismatch b/n visual & vestibular info
Treisman (1977): cause of vomiting
ingestion of natural toxins disrupt
visual input & motor coordination
vomiting adaptive response to
inappropriate stimulus: toxins/motion
Dogs: remove vestibular system
toxins no vomiting ~