Sensory Systems: Vestibular System

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  • 1/21 Questions

    What is the main purpose of the vesibular system?

    • Provides input for body orientation & movement
    • Assists in one's sense of hearing
    • Convey's info about the body's position/location
    • Assists with fine motor movement
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Vestibular System Quizzes & Trivia
About This Quiz

Explore the Vestibular System, focusing on its role in body orientation and movement. Learn about the specialized gelatinous material in hair cells, sensitivity to head tilt, and how these factors contribute to balance. Ideal for students and professionals in neuroscience and human biology.

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  • 2. 

    What type of gelantinous material are hair cells of vestibular system in?

    • Tectorial membrane

    • Cupula

    • Otolithic membrane

    • A and b

    • B and c

    Correct Answer
    A. B and c
    Explanation
    cupula--> angular acceleration (SSCs)
    otolithic membrane --> linear acecleration (utricle/saccule)

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  • 3. 

    What makes the gelationous material of vestibular system special?

    • Low specific gravity

    • More weight

    • Less viscous

    • Higher density

    Correct Answer
    A. More weight
    Explanation
    Utricle and saccule have a gelatinous substance that contains CALCIUM CARBONATE CRYSTALS which adds to the weight of the subtance

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  • 4. 

    How much head tilt can the utricle and saccule detect?

    • 0.1 deg

    • 0.5 deg

    • 1 deg

    • 10 deg

    Correct Answer
    A. 0.5 deg
    Explanation
    The utricle and saccule are sensory organs in the inner ear responsible for detecting changes in head position and linear acceleration. They contain hair cells that are sensitive to the movement of otoliths, small calcium carbonate crystals. These hair cells can detect very small movements, and studies have shown that they are capable of detecting head tilts as small as 0.5 degrees. This sensitivity allows the utricle and saccule to contribute to our sense of balance and spatial orientation.

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  • 5. 

    ___________ is sensitive to head tilt from sideways position. _____________ is sensitive to head tilt from the upright position.

    • Saccule; utricle

    • Saccule; semi circular canals

    • Utricle; saccule

    • Semicircular canals; ampulla

    Correct Answer
    A. Saccule; utricle
    Explanation
    The inner ear structures, known as the utricle and saccule, are part of the vestibular system responsible for detecting changes in head position and linear acceleration. The saccule is particularly sensitive to head tilt from the sideways or lateral position, while the utricle responds to head tilt from the upright or vertical position. Together, they play a crucial role in maintaining balance and spatial orientation by detecting the orientation of the head in relation to gravity. This intricate system allows us to perceive changes in head position and make necessary adjustments to maintain stability and equilibrium.

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  • 6. 

    When the head is perfectly upright, the utricle is:

    • At a 90 deg angle to the head

    • At a 30 deg angle to the head

    • Perfectly upright

    • 60 deg angle to the head

    Correct Answer
    A. Perfectly upright
    Explanation
    The utricle is a part of the inner ear that helps detect changes in head position and movement. When the head is perfectly upright, the utricle is also perfectly upright. This means that it is aligned with the vertical axis of the body, allowing it to accurately sense changes in head position and provide the brain with information about the body's orientation in space.

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  • 7. 

    What does the vestibular system detect?

    • Static Equilibrium

    • Upright Posture

    • Linear Acceleration

    • All of the above

    • 2 of the above

    Correct Answer
    A. All of the above
    Explanation
    The vestibular system is responsible for detecting various aspects related to balance and orientation. It detects static equilibrium, which refers to the ability to maintain balance while stationary. It also detects upright posture, helping us maintain an upright position against gravity. Additionally, the vestibular system detects linear acceleration, allowing us to perceive changes in speed and direction. Therefore, the correct answer is "All of the above" as the vestibular system detects static equilibrium, upright posture, and linear acceleration.

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  • 8. 

    How many functional units do the SSCs (semicircular canals) make?

    • 1

    • 3

    • 6

    Correct Answer
    A. 3
    Explanation
    There are 6 SSC (both ears combined). There are 3 functional units (pairs)

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  • 9. 

    The Right Anterior SSC and the Left Anterior SSC make one functional unit

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. False
    Explanation
    Right Anterior and Left Posterior make one functional unit

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  • 10. 

    The Right Lateral SCC and the Left Lateral SCC make one functional unit

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    The statement is true because the Right Lateral SCC (semicircular canal) and the Left Lateral SCC work together to detect rotational movements of the head. These two structures are part of the vestibular system in the inner ear and are responsible for maintaining balance and equilibrium. When the head rotates, the fluid inside these canals moves, stimulating hair cells that send signals to the brain about the direction and speed of the rotation. Therefore, the Right Lateral SCC and the Left Lateral SCC function as a unit to provide accurate information about head movements.

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  • 11. 

    When the hair cells are bent TOWARD  the kinocilium the nerve endings:

    • Hyperpolarize

    • Depolarize

    • Reach tonic level dischange

    • Reduce the number of action potentials

    Correct Answer
    A. Depolarize
    Explanation
    -bend TOWARD kinocilium = depol
    -bend AWAY FROM kinocilium= hyperpol

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  • 12. 

    What are the SSCs in vestibular system most sensitive to?

    • Linear acceleration

    • Angular acceleration & rotation

    • Sound

    • Gravity

    Correct Answer
    A. Angular acceleration & rotation
    Explanation
    The SSCs (semicircular canals) in the vestibular system are most sensitive to angular acceleration and rotation. These structures are responsible for detecting changes in head position and movement, particularly rotational movements. They contain fluid-filled canals that are oriented in different planes, allowing them to detect movement in different directions. When the head rotates or experiences angular acceleration, the fluid in the canals moves, stimulating hair cells that transmit signals to the brain, enabling us to perceive and maintain balance.

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  • 13. 

    During the beginning of a rotation, the endolymph in the SSC goes in the __________ direction as the rotation, resuting in __________ of hair cells.

    • Same; excitation

    • Opposite; inhibition

    • Same; inhibition

    • Opposite; excitation

    Correct Answer
    A. Opposite; excitation
    Explanation
    During the beginning of a rotation, the endolymph in the SSC moves in the opposite direction as the rotation, causing excitation of the hair cells. This is because the movement of the endolymph stimulates the hair cells, leading to the transmission of signals to the brain, which is perceived as a sense of rotation or movement.

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  • 14. 

    The gel-material of the hair cells in the SCCs for the vestibular system is called:

    • Tectorial membrane

    • Otolithic membrane

    • Basilar membrane

    • Cupula

    Correct Answer
    A. Cupula
    Explanation
    -tectorial membrane--> cochlea/sound
    -otolithic membrane --> utricle/saccule (vestib system)
    (see table pt. 109)

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  • 15. 

    How many nuclei are in the vestibular nuclear complex?

    • 2

    • 4

    • 5

    • 6

    Correct Answer
    A. 4
    Explanation
    superior, lateral, inferior, medial

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  • 16. 

    Where is vestibular sensation transmitted to in the brain?

    • VPM of thalamus

    • Medial Longitudinal Fasiculus

    • VPL of thalamus

    • Vestibular Nuclear Complex

    Correct Answer
    A. VPL of thalamus
    Explanation
    Vestibular sensation is transmitted to the VPL (ventral posterior lateral) nucleus of the thalamus. The VPL nucleus is responsible for relaying sensory information from the body to the somatosensory cortex. In the case of vestibular sensation, the VPL nucleus receives signals from the vestibular nuclear complex, which is responsible for processing and integrating information related to balance and spatial orientation. From the VPL nucleus, the information is further transmitted to the somatosensory cortex, where it is perceived and interpreted.

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  • 17. 

    What does the Lateral Vestibulospinal Tract control (reflex)?

    • Director of ocular movements

    • Interacts with cerebellum for overall motor control

    • Postural control

    Correct Answer
    A. Postural control
    Explanation
    The Lateral Vestibulospinal Tract is responsible for controlling postural control. This means that it helps maintain balance and stability of the body during various movements and positions. It receives input from the vestibular system, which is involved in sensing the body's position and movement in space. By sending signals to the muscles involved in maintaining posture, the Lateral Vestibulospinal Tract helps ensure that the body stays upright and balanced.

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  • 18. 

    What does the vestibulo-ocular do and what what tract does it utilize?

    • Smooth, horizontal, conjugate eye movements; Medial Lemniscus

    • Smooth, vertical, conjugate eye movements; Medial Lemniscus

    • Smooth, horizontal, conjugate eye movements; Medial Longitudianl Fasiculus

    • Smooth, vertical, conjugate eye movements; Medial Longitudianl Fasiculus

    Correct Answer
    A. Smooth, horizontal, conjugate eye movements; Medial Longitudianl Fasiculus
    Explanation
    The vestibulo-ocular reflex is responsible for producing smooth, horizontal, conjugate eye movements. These eye movements help to stabilize the visual field during head movements. The reflex utilizes the Medial Longitudinal Fasciculus (MLF), which is a pathway that connects the vestibular nuclei in the brainstem to the oculomotor nuclei. The MLF coordinates the movement of the extraocular muscles to ensure that the eyes move in a coordinated manner.

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  • 19. 

    If you start dozing off in class and your head bobs down and then jerks back up, what reflex is occuring?

    • Medial Vestibulospinal Tract

    • Medial Longitudinal Fasiculus

    • Vestibulocerebellar Reflex

    • Lateral Vestibulospinal Tract

    Correct Answer
    A. Medial Vestibulospinal Tract
    Explanation
    The correct answer is Medial Vestibulospinal Tract. When you start dozing off in class and your head bobs down and then jerks back up, it is due to the activation of the Medial Vestibulospinal Tract. This reflex is responsible for maintaining balance and posture by controlling the muscles of the neck and trunk in response to changes in head position or movement. When you start falling asleep and your head begins to droop, the change in head position triggers the Medial Vestibulospinal Tract to activate and jerk your head back up, helping you maintain an upright posture.

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  • 20. 

    What Brodmann's areas of the post central gyrus does vestibulat sensation information go to?

    • 3,1,2

    • 18,19

    • 6,8

    • 3

    Correct Answer
    A. 3,1,2
    Explanation
    Vestibular sensation information goes to Brodmann's areas 3, 1, and 2 of the postcentral gyrus. These areas are part of the somatosensory cortex and are responsible for processing sensory information from the body, including touch, proprioception, and vestibular sensation. Vestibular sensation refers to the sense of balance and spatial orientation, which is crucial for maintaining equilibrium and coordinating movement. By sending information to these specific areas, the brain can accurately interpret and respond to vestibular input, allowing for proper balance and coordination.

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  • 21. 

    If there is damage to the vestibulo-cerebellar reflex tract that controls eye movements, what will occur?

    • Constant divergence

    • Inability to accommodate

    • Nystagmus

    • Vertical phoria

    Correct Answer
    A. Nystagmus
    Explanation
    If there is damage to the vestibulo-cerebellar reflex tract that controls eye movements, nystagmus will occur. Nystagmus is an involuntary, rhythmic oscillation of the eyes. It can manifest as repetitive horizontal, vertical, or rotary movements. Damage to the vestibulo-cerebellar reflex tract disrupts the normal coordination of eye movements, leading to the characteristic jerking or shaking of the eyes seen in nystagmus.

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  • Current Version
  • Jan 23, 2024
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • Apr 23, 2011
    Quiz Created by
    Tseemore

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