PSYC2274 Chapter Notes - Chapter 12: Linear Motion, Vestibular System, Top
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What are the vestibular organs, where are they located, and what do they do?
- These are a set of 5 specialized sense organs located in the inner ear right next to the
cochlea. They sense head motion and orientation with respect to gravity, as well as make
predominant contributions to the sense of tilt and self-motion.
What is equilibrium?
- This is comprised of spatial orientation perception (perception of linear motion, angular
motion, and tilt) combined with reflexive vestibular responses like posture, vestibulo-
autonomic reflexes, etc.
What is spatial orientation?
- This is a sense consisting of 3 modalities that interact. These modalities are perception of
linear motion, angular motion, and tilt.
What does the vestibular system do, and why is it so often overlooked?
- It contributes to clear vision when we move our heads, helps us maintain balance when
we stand, and so much more! It is probably not recognized because it has no one
centralized location. However, loss of vestibular function/malfunction is debilitating! Its
fundamental nature is shown by the fact that the organs appeared early on in evolutionary
history and have not really changed since then.
What is the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR)?
- This helps us see clearly by reflexively rotating the eyeballs in the sockets to compensate
for head rotation. This helps us keep images stable on the retina.
What are the vestibular contributions to equilibrium?
- The vestibular system provides the sensory foundation for spatial orientation, which
includes perception of translation, rotation, and tilt. The vestibular system also makes
important contributions to balance by helping us stay upright and stable. Additionally,
the VOR also helps stabilize eyes during head motion and makes crucial contributions to
clarity of sight. The sense of equilibrium due to vestibular contributions is ACTIVE, not
passive!
What does kinesthetic refer to?
- This refers to the perception of the position and movement of our limbs in space.
What does active sensing mean?
- This term includes self-generated probing of the environment, and balances information
from efferent commands (information flowing from CNS out to periphery like motor
commands regulating muscle contraction) with information from afferent signals
(information flowing in to the CNS from sensors in the periphery).
What are the 3 modalities of spatial orientation?
- Angular motion (rotational motion like that of a spinning top or swinging saloon doors
that rotate back and forth).
- Linear motion (translational motion like the predominant movement of a train car).
- Tilt (to attain a sloped position like that of the Leaning Tower of Pisa).
Why do we call these modalities instead of qualities?
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Document Summary
These are a set of 5 specialized sense organs located in the inner ear right next to the cochlea. They sense head motion and orientation with respect to gravity, as well as make predominant contributions to the sense of tilt and self-motion. This is comprised of spatial orientation perception (perception of linear motion, angular motion, and tilt) combined with reflexive vestibular responses like posture, vestibulo- autonomic reflexes, etc. This is a sense consisting of 3 modalities that interact. These modalities are perception of linear motion, angular motion, and tilt. It contributes to clear vision when we move our heads, helps us maintain balance when we stand, and so much more! It is probably not recognized because it has no one centralized location. Its fundamental nature is shown by the fact that the organs appeared early on in evolutionary history and have not really changed since then.
