Semicircular canals
Semicircular Canals
Semicircular canals (/ˌsɛmiˌsɜːrkjʊlər ˈkænəlz/) are three tiny, fluid-filled tubes in your inner ear that help you keep your balance.
Etymology
The term "semicircular" is derived from the Latin words "semi", meaning half, and "circulus", meaning circle. The term "canal" comes from the Latin "canalis" meaning a pipe or gutter. The name describes the half-circle shape of these three canals located in the inner ear.
Function
When your head moves, fluid inside the semicircular canals moves. This movement of fluid tells your brain if you're moving and how you're moving (for example, moving up, down, or side-to-side).
Anatomy
The semicircular canals are a part of the bony labyrinth of the inner ear and are responsible for detecting rotational movements. They are oriented at right angles to each other and are named according to their position: the horizontal semicircular canal, the anterior semicircular canal, and the posterior semicircular canal.
Related Terms
- Vestibular system: The sensory system that provides the leading contribution to the sense of balance and spatial orientation for the purpose of coordinating movement with balance.
- Cochlea: The part of the inner ear involved in hearing.
- Endolymph: The fluid within the semicircular canals that moves to signal the brain about the body's motion.
- Cupula: A structure in the semicircular canals that detects the motion of the fluid within the canals.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Semicircular canals
- Wikipedia's article - Semicircular canals
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