Semicircular canals, utricle, and saccule {vestibular system}| work together. Vestibular system detects rotary and linear accelerations and body positions. Vestibular system maintains balance. All vertebrates have semicircular canals to detect accelerations.
Gravity makes constant force, and vestibular systems are similar, so balance feelings are similar, for all undamaged people.
Body-equilibrium neurons continuously stimulate motor nerves. If body-equilibrium nerves have damage, body becomes weak [Cole, 1995] [Lee and Lishman, 1975].
In inner ear, three mutually perpendicular semicircular tubes {semicircular canal}| {labyrinth, inner ear} detect head rotation.
In inner ear, small calcium-carbonate beads {otolith}| press on semicircular-canal hair-cell hairs.
Inner-ear parts {saccule}| can have small calcium-carbonate stones pressing on hair-cell hairs to detect body positions and rotary and linear accelerations.
Inner-ear parts {utricle}| can have small calcium-carbonate stones pressing on hair-cell hairs to detect head positions, centrifugal forces, and linear accelerations.
Hair-cell damage can produce dizziness {Ménière's disease} {Ménière disease}.
Rapid involuntary eyeball oscillation {nystagmus}| can accompany dizziness.
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Date Modified: 2022.0225