Physiology of Equilibrium

Ieva B. Akbar – Departement of Physiology

 The Sense of Balance
Standing, postural control, and many normal
movements often must occur occur against
the earth‘s gravity force.

Several sensory and motor mechanisms have

evolved to counter and adapt to this force.
For example, the general propioceptive sense
organs in joints, and a special sense organ
vestibular apparatus.
PHYSIOLOGY OF EQUILIBRIUM

Two kinds of equilibrium:

1. Dynamic equilibrium
2. Static equilibrium

Receptor: Hair cells in Vestibular

Apparatus (semicircular ducts,
utricle, saccule)
INNER EAR (INTERNAL EAR)
HAIR CELL

Kinocilium
Stereocilia
 Dynamic equilibrium
• controlled by semicircular canals
– ducts (3) oriented in three dimensions
• base of ducts called ampulla
• small hair cells embedded in fluid called cupula
– rotation causes fluid in ducts to flow over cupula
– cupula moves bending hairs
– hairs transmit impulses to brain
 Static equilibrium

• function of the vestibule

– contains saccule and utricle
– small membranous sacs
– contains hair cells embedded in gelatinous material
• otolithic membrane
• otoliths (CaCO3) rest on otolithic membrane
– head tilt moves otoliths
– otoliths move hairs
– hairs send impulses to brain for interpretation
 NEURAL PATHWAYS

• Vestibular tract  the brainstem, spinal cord,

cerebellum, and cerebral cortex
• Each vestibular nerve consist of 19,000 nerve fibers
• Cell bodies lay in the vestibular ganglion, near the
membranous labyrinth.
• Vestibular nerve  upper medulla oblongata
 (four) vestibular nuclei in the upper
lateral medulla oblongata
 Specific regions of the cerebellum
The End