Skip to main content

The Influence of Duct and Utricular Morphology on Semicircular Canal Response

  • Chapter
The Vestibular System: Function and Morphology

Abstract

Recently a renewed interest has developed in the question of what constitutes the physiologic magnitude and bending mode of motion of the semicircular canal cupula. In 1972, Oman and Young (26) theoretically estimated that, regardless of bending mode, the motion of the middle of thehuman cupula ought to be limited to about 3 μm for maximal self-induced sinusoidal head motion. Experimental investigations of cupula motion in the frog ( 10,21,22) and in the skate (7,24,25) have supported the notion that the relatively large “swinging door” rotation described by early workers is likely artifactual, and have suggested that in the frog (and possibly also in the skate) the cupula is normally adherent not only to the crista, but also to the vault of the ampulla, and deforms as a diaphragm.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Curthoys, I.S., Blanks, R.H.I., and Markham, C.H.: Semicircular canal radii of curvature (R) in the cat, guinea pig, and man. J. Morphol. 151:1, 1977.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Curthoys, I.S., Markham, C.H., and Curthoys, E.J.: Semicircular duct and ampulla dimensions in cat, guinea pig, and man. J. Morphol. 151:17, 1977.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Dittrich, F.L., Extermann, R.E., and Greiner, G.F.: Biophysics of the Ear. Springfield, Ill., Thomas, 1962.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Dohlman, G.F.: Some practical and theoretical points in labyrinthology. Proc. R. Soc. Med. 28:1371, 1935.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Dohlman, G.F.: The attachment of the cupulae, otolith, and tectorial membranes to the sensory cell areas. Acta Otolaryngol. 71:89, 1971.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. van Egmond, A.A.J., Groen, J.E., and Jongkees, L.B.W.: The mechanics of the semicircular canal. J. Physiol. 110:1, 1949.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Flock, A. and Goldstein, M.H.: Cupular movement and nerve impulse response in the isolated semicircular canal. Brain Res. 157:1 1, 1978.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Gray, A.A.: The Labyrinth of Animals, Including Mammals, Birds, Reptiles, and Amphibians. London, Churchill, 1907.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Groen, J.J.: Mechanical analysis of the phenomena in response to the stimulation of the semicircular canals. In van Egmond, A.A.J., Groen, J.J., and Jongkees, L.B.W. (eds.): The function of the vestibular organ. Pract. Oto-Rhino-Laryngol. (Suppl. 2) 14:42, 1952.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Hillman, D.E.: Observations on morphological features and mechanical properties of the peripheral vestibular receptor system in the frog. Prog. Brain Res. 37:1, 1972.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Hillman, D.E.: Cupula structure and its receptor relationship. Brain Behav. Evol. 10:52, 1974.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Howland, H.C. and Masci, J.: The phylogenetic allometry of the semicircular canals of small fishes. Z. Morphol. Tiere 75:283, 1973.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Howland, H.C. and Masci, J.: The functional allometry of semicircular canals, fins, and body dimensions in the juvenile centrarchid fish, Lepomis gibbosus. J. Embryol. Exp. Morphol. 29(3):721, 1973.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Jones, G.M. and Spells, K.E.: A theoretical and comparative study of the functional dependence of the semicircular canal upon its physical dimensions. Proc. R. Soc. Med. B 157:403, 1963.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. ten Kate, J.H.: The Oculo-Vestibular Reflex of the Growing Pike: A Biophysical Study. Ph.D. Thesis, Rijksuniversiteit te Groningen, 1969.

    Google Scholar 

  16. ten Kate, J.H. and Kuiper, J.W.: The viscosity of the pike’s endolymph. J. Exp. Biol 53:495, 1970.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Landolt, J.P., Correia, M.J., Young, E.R., Cardin, R.P.S., and Sweet, R.C.: A scanning electron microscopic study of the morphology and geometry of neural surfaces and structures associated with the vestibular apparatus of the pigeon. J. Comp. Neurol. 159:257, 1974.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Lawrence, M.: Dynamic range of the cochlea transducer. Cold Spring Harbor Symp. Quant. Biol. 30:159, 1968.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Llinas, R. and Hillman, D.E.: Comments on structure-function relationships in the peripheral vestibular system. In Iberall, A.S. and Guyton, A.C. (eds.): Regulation and Control in Physiological Systems. Pittsburgh, IFAC Publications, 1973, pp. 180–184.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Mayne, R.: The Constants of the Semicircular Canal Differential Equation. Goodyear Aerospace Report (GERA-1083). Litchfield Park, Arizona, Goodyear Aerospace Corporation, 1965.

    Google Scholar 

  21. McLaren, J.W.: The Configuration of Movement of the Semicircular Canal Cupula. Ph.D. Thesis, The University of Iowa, 1977.

    Google Scholar 

  22. McLaren, J.W. and Hillman, D.E.: Configuration of the cupula during endolymph pressure changes. Society for Neuroscience Meeting Abstracts, Sixth Annual Meeting. Toronto, Canada, 1976, p. 1060.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Money, K.E., Bonen, L., Beatty, J.D., Kuehn, L.A., Sokoloff, M., and Weaver, R.S.: Physical properties of fluids and structures of vestibular apparatus of the pigeon. Am. J. Physiol. 220:140, 1971.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Oman, C.M., Frishkopf, L.S., and Goldstein, M.H.: An upper limit on the physiological range of cupula motion in the semicircular canal of the skate. Society for Neuroscience Meeting Abstracts, Sixth Annual Meeting, Toronto, Canada, 1976, p. 1053.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Oman, CM., Frishkopf, L.S., and Goldstein, M.H.: Cupula motion in the semicircular canal of the skate, Raja erinacea: An experimental investigation. Acta Otolaryngol. 87:528, 1979.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Oman, CM. and Young, L.R.: Physiological range of pressure difference and cupula deflections in the human semicircular canal: Theoretical considerations. Acta Otolaryngol. 74:324, 1972.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Steer, R.: The Influence of Angular and Linear Acceleration and Thermal Stimulation on the Human Semicircular Canal. Sc.D. Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Mass., 1967.

    Google Scholar 

  28. Steinhausen, W.: Uber Sichbarmachung und Funktionsprufung der Cupula Terminalis in den Bogengangsampullen des Labyrinthes. Pflügers Arch. Ges. Physiol. 217:747, 1927.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Steinhausen, W.: Uber die Beobachtung der Cupula in den Bogengangsampullen des Labyrinths des lebenden Hechts. Pflugers Arch. Ges. Physiol. 232:500, 1933.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Trincker, D.: The transformation of mechanical stimulus into nervous excitation by the labyrinthine receptors. Symp. Soc. Exp. Biol. 16:289, 1962.

    Google Scholar 

  31. Van Buskirk, W.C.: The effect of the utricle on fluid flow in the semicircular canals. Ann. Biomed. Engin. 5:1, 1977.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Van Buskirk, W.C. and Morse, E.W.: Fluid flow in the semicircular canals: A non-Newtonian model. Recent Adv. Engin. Sci. 7:273, 1977.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Vilstrup, J.: Studies on the completed structure and mechanism of the cupula. Ann. Otol. 59:46, 1950.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Vries, H.L. de: Physical aspects of the sense organ. Progr. Biophys. Chem. 6:207, 1956.

    Google Scholar 

  35. Zalin, A.: On the function of the kinocilia and stereocilia with special reference to the phenomenon of directional preponderance. J. Laryngol. Otol. 81:119, 1967.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1981 Springer-Verlag New York Inc.

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Oman, C.M. (1981). The Influence of Duct and Utricular Morphology on Semicircular Canal Response. In: Gualtierotti, T. (eds) The Vestibular System: Function and Morphology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-5902-2_14

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-5902-2_14

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4612-5904-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4612-5902-2

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics