Vestibule of the ear

Vestibule of the Ear

The Vestibule is the central part of the inner ear, situated medial to the eardrum, behind the cochlea, and in front of the semicircular canals. It is involved in the body's sense of balance and spatial orientation.

Anatomy

The vestibule is the part of the bony labyrinth that is intermediate between the semicircular canals and the cochlea. It contains two membranous sacs: the utricle and the saccule, which respond to gravity and changes in linear acceleration.

Function

The vestibule plays a key role in the body's sense of balance. The utricle and saccule within the vestibule contain specialized cells that detect changes in motion and gravity. These signals are then sent to the brain, which interprets them and helps maintain balance and spatial orientation.

Clinical significance

Diseases of the vestibule can lead to symptoms such as vertigo, dizziness, and loss of balance. These include conditions such as Meniere's disease, vestibular neuritis, and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

See also

• Inner ear
• Balance disorder
• Vestibular system

References

  Diseases of the ear and mastoid process 

Outer ear

• Otitis externa
• Otomycosis

Middle ear
and mastoid

• Otitis media
• Mastoiditis 
  • Bezold's abscess
  • Gradenigo's syndrome
• Tympanosclerosis

• Cholesteatoma
• Perforated eardrum

Inner ear and
central pathways

Equilibrioception	Vertigo/Balance disorder: peripheral  Ménière's disease BPPV Vestibular neuronitis (Labyrinthitis) Perilymph fistula central (Central positional nystagmus)
Hearing	Hearing impairment Conductive hearing loss  Otosclerosis Superior canal dehiscence Sensorineural hearing loss  Presbycusis Cortical deafness Nonsyndromic deafness Excessive response Tinnitus Hyperacusis/Phonophobia Deafblindness Wolfram syndrome Usher syndrome Other Auditory processing disorder Spatial hearing loss

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