Lateral to the vestibule is the oval window and stapes footplate.
Diseases affecting this area of the middle ear typically result in vertigo.
It is a bony cavity within the temporal bone that contains organs and nerves associated with the vestibular system.
Verywell / Laura Porter
It is posterior to the cochlea and anterior to thesemicircular canals.
Otolith Organs
The utricle and the saccule are the two otolith organs that make up the vestibule.
The utricle is located within the posterior part of the vestibule of the ear.
The saccule is the smaller of the two otolith organs.
It lies anterior to the utricle.
It is similar in composition to the utricle but the macula within the saccule is oriented vertically.
This orientation makes the saccule sensitive to movement of the head along the sagittal (longitudinal) plane.
Embedded within the otolithic membrane are specialized crystals called otoconia.
The otoconia are made up of calcium carbonate.
This in turn is translated in the brain into your sense of equilibrium.
The Utricle
The horizontal orientation of the utricle is important to how it functions.
Unique to the utricle, sensory hair cells are slightly tipped toward the striola.
The utricle also communicates with other parts of the inner ear.
The Saccule
Unliike the utricle, the saccule is oriented vertically.
So bending in the opposite direction (away from the striola) causes increased signal strength to the brainstem.
The saccule communicates with the cochlea via the ductus reuniens.
Increasing or decreasing the signal strength changes your perception of balance and orientation.
ENG is the most common test to begin differentiating causes of vertigo.
You will be placed in a dark room for this test and will hear instructions over an intercom system.
CDP
Computerized dynamic posturography (CDP) tests three different systems to evaluate any disorder of equilibrium.
For this test, you will stand on a platform and be secured for safety in a harness.
You will follow directions related to a visual target and maintain balance on a shifting plate.
This test evaluates sensory input from your vision, vestibular system, and muscles.
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Hain TC.Anatomy of the otoliths.
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Purves D, Augustine GJ, Fitzpatrick D, et al.Vestibular hair cells.
Purves D, Augustine GJ, Fitzpatrick D, et al.The otolith organs: The utricle and sacculus.
Vestibular Diagnostic Association.Diagnostic tests for vestibular problems.
Hain TC.Ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potential (oVEMP) testing.
Chicago Dizziness and Hearing website.
Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potential (VEMP) Testing - Cervical.
Chicago Dizziness and Hearing website.https://www.dizziness-and-balance.com/testing/VEMP/vemp.html
