Labyrinth (Vestibular System)
Organ of balance located in the inner ear. The labyrinth consists of three semicircular canals and the vestibule.
Part of: Inner Ear
See also: How Balance Works
About the Labyrinth
The ear is a sensory organ for picking up sound waves and allowing us to hear. But it is also essential to our sense of balance: inside of the inner ear is the vestibular system (the organ of balance). It is made up of three fluid-filled canals — the semicircular canals — as well as the otolith organs, two sacks also filled with fluid.
Each of the semicircular canals leads to a small chamber that has small hairs cells in it. These chambers are also called ampullae. When the head moves, the hairs are pulled by the fluid into one or more of the semicircular canals. The hairs sense this movement and then send nerve signals to the brain.
Each of the three semicircular canals is responsible for a specific direction of head movement: one registers when the head nods up or down, one when the head rotates to the right or left, and one when the head turns sideways.
The otolith organs, which are the other part of the vestibular system, are two pouches that are also filled with fluid. They sit sideways below the semicircular canals and have a similar function… Read more about the Labyrinth