In: Anatomy and Physiology
Which part of the inner ear houses two portions of the membranous labyrinth known as the utricle and saccule?
cochlea
semicircular canals
vestibule
tympanic membrane
Answer: vestibule.
Inner ear is also called the labyrinth and it contains the organs of the senses of hearing and equilibrium. It comprises of bony labyrinth and membranous labyrinth. The bony labyrinth is divided into 3 parts which include a) cochlea , b)semicircular canals , c)vestibule . Within the bony labyrinth is membranous labyrinth which is also divided into 3 parts a) cochlear duct b) semicircular ducts c)saccule and utricule located in the vestibule. The cochlear duct (Scala media ) divides cochlea into Scala vestibuli and Scala tympani . Cochlear duct is filled with endolypmh where as above and below Scala vestibuli and Scala tympani contains perilymph. cochlea is responsible for hearing.
Vestibule is the central part of bony layrinth . Vestibule connects the cochlea and semicircular canals . Function of vestibule which contains sacule and utricule is to detect changes in gravity and linear acceleration.saccule and utricule are called otolith organs .
Semicircular canals are the three interconnected tubes located in the innermost part of ear . The 3 canals are horizontal , superior and posterior semicircular canals. Semicircular canals respond to angular acceleration and are concerned with balance of the body.
Tympanic membrane forms the boundary between outer ear and middle ear. It is also called ear drum . Tympanic membrane receives sound vibrations from the outer air and transmits to auditory ossicles .
Middle ear contains ossicles malleus , incus and stapes which transfers the vibrations from ear drum to inner ear.