Semicircular Canals
Synonyms
Definition
The superior, posterior, and lateral semicircular canals of the inner ear responsible for balance and the movement of the head
Introduction
The semicircular canals are part of the structures of the inner ear, specifically the bony labyrinth. (Munir and Clarke 2013). The canals are filled with perilymph (Hain and Helminsky 2007). Their neurosensory elements are known as the crista and cupula, and the neurosensory elements of the canals’ otolithic organs are known as the macule and the striole. The semicircular canals are responsible for keeping the person’s balance and posture; they are also responsible for the movement of the head with the help of the otolithic organs.
Structure of Semicircular Canals
The semicircular canals are part of the bony labyrinth of the inner ear (Munir and Clarke 2013). The bony labyrinth consists not only of the semicircular canals but of the cochlea as well. The canals are filled with a fluid similar to the cerebral...
References
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