Vestibular System
The vestibular system is the sensory system within the inner ear responsible for detecting head movement, maintaining balance, and contributing to spatial orientation. It consists of five sensory organs in each inner ear: three semicircular canals, which detect rotational movements of the head in different planes, and two otolith organs (the utricle and saccule), which detect linear acceleration and the pull of gravity.
The vestibular system sends continuous signals to the brain about head position and movement. The brain integrates this information with visual input and sensory information from the muscles and joints (proprioception) to maintain stable posture and clear vision during movement. When the vestibular system is damaged or sends inaccurate signals, the result can be vertigo, dizziness, imbalance, or visual disturbance during head movement.
The vestibular system is assessed through a range of clinical and instrumental tests, including videonystagmography (VNG), rotational chair testing, and vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) testing.
