Physiology balance

B. Physiology of balance

We can move our bodies and our heads along all three axes of our threedimensional

space. We can move in a linear way, along any one of these axes

(linear acceleration), or we can rotate around any one of these axes

(rotational acceleration). Our movements are often a combination of linear

and rotational acceleration, and the hair cells within the membranous

labyrinth (semicircular canals and otolithic organ) of the inner ear detect the

different components of our movements and faithfully relay them to central

nuclei.

The system is best equipped to detect changes in movement. Vestibular

afferents will fire most at the beginning and end of an acceleration.

1. Rotational acceleration

Rotational acceleration is detected in the three semicircular canals, where

identically oriented hair cells sit atop cristae. Each hair cell has a long

kinocilium and several microvilli, called stereocilia, in graded height as in

the cochlea.

During rotational acceleration, the endolymph is set into motion. The

movement of endolymph causes a deformation of the cupula (Figure 11.22).

This deformation causes deflection of the stereocilia of the hair cells.

Movement toward the kinocilium will cause the mechanically gated ion

channels to open, resulting in depolarization of the cell and increased signal

transduction in the vestibular nerve (Figure 11.23). Movement away from the

kinocilium causes the cation channels to close and, thereby, hyperpolarizes

the cell, with a decrease of signal transduction in the vestibular nerve. All

hair cells in the ampulla on each side have the same orientation and will

respond similarly to deformation of the cupula.