Semicircular canals

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

(Redirected from Semicircular ducts)

Semicircular canals are three tiny, fluid-filled tubes in your inner ear that help you keep your balance. When your head moves, fluid inside the semicircular canals moves. This movement of fluid tells your brain if you're moving in a circle or standing still.

Structure[edit | edit source]

The semicircular canals are part of the bony labyrinth of the inner ear and are responsible for detecting rotations of the head. They are oriented at right angles to each other and are named according to their orientation: the horizontal semicircular canal, the anterior semicircular canal, and the posterior semicircular canal.

Function[edit | edit source]

The semicircular canals detect rotational movements. The canals are filled with a fluid called endolymph. When the head rotates, the endolymph in the canals lags behind due to inertia and exerts a force on the cupula. The cupula is a gelatinous structure in the canals, and when it is pushed by the endolymph, it bends the hair cells of the vestibular system. This bending of the hair cells generates a nerve impulse which is sent to the brain to interpret the direction of the head movement.

Clinical significance[edit | edit source]

Diseases of the semicircular canals can lead to a loss of balance and other symptoms. One such disease is Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), which is a disorder stemming from the inner ear and causes a feeling of spinning.

See also[edit | edit source]

Semicircular canals Resources
Wikipedia
WikiMD
Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD

Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Let Food Be Thy Medicine
Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates

Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD