What does the word utricle mean in medical terms?
Medical Definition of utricle. : a small anatomical pouch: as. a : the part of the membranous labyrinth of the ear into which the semicircular canals open and that contains the macula utriculi. — called also utriculus. b : prostatic utricle.
What is the function of the utricle and saccule?
The utricle and saccule are the two otolith organs in the vertebrate inner ear. They are part of the balancing system ( membranous labyrinth) in the vestibule of the bony labyrinth (small oval chamber).
Where is the utricle located in the ear?
The utricle is a small membranous sac (part of the membranous labyrinth) and paired with the saccule lies within the vestibule of the inner ear.
What is the macula of utricle?
The macula of utricle ( macula acustica utriculi) is a small (2 by 3 mm) thickening lying horizontally on the floor of the utricle where the epithelium contains vestibular hair cells that allow a person to perceive changes in latitudinal acceleration as well as the effects of gravity; it receives the utricular filaments of the acoustic nerve .
What is the utricle in the ear?
The utricle is a small membranous sac (part of the membranous labyrinth) and paired with the saccule lies within the vestibule of the inner ear. It has an important role in orientation and static balance, particularly in horizontal tilt.
What is the function of utricle and saccule?
The utricle and saccule are the two otolith organs in the vertebrate inner ear. They are part of the balancing system (membranous labyrinth) in the vestibule of the bony labyrinth (small oval chamber). They use small stones and a viscous fluid to stimulate hair cells to detect motion and orientation.
What's the difference between utricle and saccule?
Both the utricle and the saccule provide information about acceleration. The difference between them is that the utricle is more sensitive to horizontal acceleration, whereas the saccule is more sensitive to vertical acceleration.
What does the utricle give rise to?
The dorsal utricular portion gives rise to the vestibular system, including the utricle, semicircular canals, and endolymphatic tube. [3][4] Ultimately, the otic vesicle will differentiate to form all of the components of the membranous labyrinth and the internal ear structures associated with hearing and balance.
What part of the ear controls balance?
The inner ear is home to the cochlea and the main parts of the vestibular system. The vestibular system is one of the sensory systems that provides your brain with information about balance, motion, and the location of your head and body in relation to your surroundings.
What direction does the utricle sense?
13:0516:03Anatomy | Physiology of the Utricle & Saccule [Otolithic Organs] - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe utricle it turns out is actually oriented. More in a horizontal direction it's not perfect. ButMoreThe utricle it turns out is actually oriented. More in a horizontal direction it's not perfect. But it's more horizontal. And so as a result of that the utricle is better able to detect horizontal
What is the function of the saccule?
The saccule is a small membranous sac, paired with the utricle, within the vestibule of the inner ear. It is part of the membranous labyrinth and has an important role in orientation and balance, particularly in vertical tilt 1.
What does saccule mean?
a little sacDefinition of saccule : a little sac specifically : the smaller chamber of the membranous labyrinth of the ear.
What type of movement do the saccule and utricle respond to respectively?
Linear motion is sensed by the two otolithic organs (the utricle and the saccule), and rotational motion is sensed by three roughly orthogonal semicircular canals.
What nerve affects balance?
The vestibulocochlear nerve sends balance and head position information from the inner ear (see left box) to the brain.
Does the utricle have hair cells?
Each saccule and utricle has a single cluster, or macula, of hair cells located in the vertical and horizontal planes, respectively.
Which part of ear has no role in hearing?
Vestibular apparatus also known as - the balancing system is the part of the human ear which plays no role in the hearing. These organs provide the necessary sensory information about equilibrium - motion and geeral spatial orientation.
What is the function of the saccule?
The saccule is a small membranous sac, paired with the utricle, within the vestibule of the inner ear. It is part of the membranous labyrinth and has an important role in orientation and balance, particularly in vertical tilt 1.
What is the function of the saccule and utricle quizlet?
What are the functions of the utricles and saccules? The utricles and saccules detect linear acceleration and position of the head. The otolith crystals move in response to acceleration or tilting of the head, which triggers action potentials that travel to the brain.
What does saccule mean?
a little sacDefinition of saccule : a little sac specifically : the smaller chamber of the membranous labyrinth of the ear.
What type of movement do the saccule and utricle respond to respectively?
Linear motion is sensed by the two otolithic organs (the utricle and the saccule), and rotational motion is sensed by three roughly orthogonal semicircular canals.
What is the role of the utricle in the ear?
It has an important role in orientation and static balance , particularly in horizontal tilt.
Which artery supplies the utricle?
The anterior vestibular artery is the second branch of the labyrinthine artery. This artery supplies the utricle 1.
Where is the utricle located on a CT scan?
The utricle itself is too small to be distinguished on high-resolution CT or MRI 6, but sits in the medial portion of the vestibule.
Gross Anatomy
Arterial Supply
- The anterior vestibular artery is the second branch of the labyrinthine artery. This artery supplies the utricle 1.
Innervation
- The mechanoreceptors of the utricle are connected to the nervous system by fibers of the vestibular division of the vestibulocochlear nerve (VIII) 1.
Radiographic Features
- The utricle itself is too small to be distinguished on high-resolution CT or MRI 6, but sits in the medial portion of the vestibule.
Related Pathology
- Damage to the otolith-containing organs, such as the utricle, can result in a reduced ability to sense motion and orientation, leading to vestibular symptoms e.g. imbalance 5.
See Also