In: Anatomy and Physiology
The structures of the cochlea are responsible for ___, whereas the structures of the saccule and utricle are responsible for ____ equilibrium, and semicircular canals and ampulla are responsible for ____ equilibrium.
*Structures of cochlea are responsible for hearing.
Cochlea is a coiled structure in the inner ear, which helps in hearing.Basilar membrane of cochlea contain Hair cells. When sound wave hit oval window due to fluid nature of inner ear, it leads to vibration of basilar membrane so that hair cells touches the tectorial membrane. Tectorial membrane vibrates, this information is carried by vestibulocochlear nerve into auditory cortex which eventually helps hearing.
*Saccule and utricle are responsible for maintaining static equilibrium., and semicircular canals helps maintain dynamic equilibrium.
Ear maintains both static equilibrium & dynamic equilibrium .
Static equilibrium -It refers to maintenance of proper head position during changes in linear motion like walking.Static Equilibrium is the function of saccule and utricle.They have small stones & viscous fluid which stimulate hair cells to detect motion & orientation that helps in balancing
Semicircular canals are responsible for maintaining dynamic equilibrium.
DYNAMIC EQUILIBRIUM means when one is moving or his head is moving.
Semicircular canals have mechanoreceptors called Crista ampullaris which helps in maintaining dynamic equilibrium