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Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science pp 1–2Cite as

Semicircular Canals

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Synonyms

Inner ear structure

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...

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References

  • Chandrasekhar, S. (2013). The assessment of balance and dizziness in the TBI patient. NeuroRehabilitation, 32, 445–454.

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  • Chang, R., & Khana, S. (2013). Anatomy of the vestibular system: A review. NeuroRehabilitation, 32, 437–443. https://doi.org/10.3233/NRE-130866.

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  • Hain, T. C., & Helminsky, J. O. (2007). Anatomy and physiology of the normal vestibular system. In Vestibular rehabilitation (3rd ed., p. 214). Philadelphia: FA Davis Company.

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  • Lee, S. C., Razek, O. A., & Dorfman, B. E. (2016). Vestibular system anatomy. In A. Meyers, F. Talavera, & P. Roland (Eds.), Medscape. Retrieved from https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/883956-overview.

  • Munir, N., & Clarke, R. (2013). Ear, nose and throat at a glance. West Sussex: Wiley-Blackwell/Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pickles, J. O. (2012). An introduction to the physiology of hearing (4th ed.). Bingley: Emerald Group Publishing Limited.

    Google Scholar 

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Nicosia, Nicosia, Cyprus

    Michael Khalil

Authors
  1. Michael Khalil
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan, USA

    Todd K. Shackelford

  2. Rochester, Michigan, USA

    Viviana A. Weekes-Shackelford

Section Editor information

  1. University of Nicosia, Nicosia, Cyprus

    Menelaos Apostolou

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Khalil, M. (2018). Semicircular Canals. In: Shackelford, T., Weekes-Shackelford, V. (eds) Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6_993-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6_993-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-16999-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-16999-6

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference Behavioral Science and PsychologyReference Module Humanities and Social SciencesReference Module Business, Economics and Social Sciences

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