The vestibular sensory organs of the inner ear responds to physical stimuli related to movement and orientation of the head in three-dimensional space. In response to mechanical forces acting on the inner ear, neural messages regarding head motion and position are generated by the vestibular apparatus and relayed to the brain. That information along with visual and proprioceptive input, is used by the central nervous system (CNS) to maintain clear vision during head movement, to control muscles responsible for upright posture and to provide a sense of orientation of the body with respect to the surrounding environment. Although the vestibular system is one of our major sensory modalities, it differs somewhat from other senses such as vision and hearing in that it operates largely in the service of motor reflexes, outside the field of conscious perception. Thus we are not aware of vestibular sensory input unless the system is subjected to unusually high levels of stimulation or is compromised by disease, in which importance of vestibular function becomes acutely obvious. Some fundamental aspects of vestibular anatomy and physiology, emphasis on features of the system that provide the foundation for clinical testing of vestibular function.

1. UNIT 9
VESTIBULAR SYSTEM- ANATOMY AND
PHYSIOLOGY:
(Afferent Vestibular Pathways, Physiology Of Human Balance Functions )
SUBMITTED TO: SUBMITTED BY:
MS. VINI ABHIJITH GUPTA HIMANI BANSAL
MVSCOSH MASLP 1ST YEAR

28. CITATION RESULT
Khan, S., & Chang, R. (2013). Anatomy of the
vestibular system: a
review. NeuroRehabilitation, 32(3), 437-443.
The five major vestibular structures are located in
the inner ear and include: the utricle, the saccule,
and the lateral, superior, and posterior
semicircular canals. Hair cells on the
neuroepithelium of the peripheral vestibular
organs carry sensory impulses to primary
processing centers in the brainstem and the
cerebellum. These areas send input via ascending
and descending projections to coordinate vital
reflexes, such as the vestibuloocular reflex and
the vestibulospinal reflex, which allow for the
proper orientation of the eyes and body in
response to head motion.
Aw, S. T., Fetter, M., Cremer, P. D., Karlberg, M.,
& Halmagyi, G. M. (2001). Individual semicircular
canal function in superior and inferior vestibular
neuritis. Neurology, 57(5), 768-774.
In patients with preserved hearing, eight had
deficits in all three SCC, suggesting involvement
of the superior and inferior vestibular nerves.
Twenty-one had a lateral SCC deficit or a
combined lateral and anterior SCC deficit
consistent with selective involvement of the
superior vestibular nerve. Two patients with
ipsilateral hearing loss had normal caloric

29. REFERENCES
1. AUDIOLOGY DIAGNOSIS, Vol. 1- Ross.J.Roeser,Michael Valente,Iolly Hosford Dunn
2. WILLARD ZEMLIN. SPEECH AND HEARING SCIENCE: ANATOMY N PHYSIOLOGY..
4TH EDITION.-Allyn And Bacon
3. THE VESTIBULAR SYSTEM. - Stephen M. Highstein, Richard R. Fay, Arthur N. Popper
4. NEUROTOLOGY, 2ND EDI. Jackler And Brackmann.Elseiver.2005
5. INTERNET RESOURCES.
Questions asked in previous years:
1. In detail explain the role of semi circular canals in maintaining balance. (16 marks) (2011)
2. Write on the physiology of human balance functions. (16 marks) (2014, 2017)
3. Describe the function of vestibular system. (4 marks) (2017)
4. Write a note on utricle. (8 marks) (2019)