The Probert Encyclopaedia of Medicine

SEMICIRCULAR CANALS

The semicircular canals comprise the organ of balance occupying mush of the inner ear, next to the cochlea. The three semicircular canals are set at right angles to one another: one parallel to the ground, a second parallel to the side of the head, and a third parallel to the front of the head or face. The canals are responsible for sensing the movements of the head in three dimensions. Each fluid-filled canal contains sensory hairs connected to receptor cells that provide information to the cerebellum. As the head is tilted, the fluid presses on the sensory hairs of the receptor cells. The receptor cells convert the pressure into electrical signals which are sent to the brain via nerve impulses. Other receptor cells are situated in and near the semicircular canals. The nerve impulses are essential to the control of balance.
Research Semicircular Canals