Vestibular Disorders and Balance
The vestibular system includes the parts of the inner ear and brain that process the sensory information involved in controlling balance and eye movements. If this system is impaired vertigo, dizziness and balance disorders may occur.
Balance is determined by a complex combination of information flowing into the brain from:
the eyes,
- Vestibular Disorders
- Joints (proprioception), and
- Labyrinth (inner ear).
The Labyrinth: records the direction of motion, that is, rotation, front-back, right-left, up and down. The labyrinth is a complex system of bone and cartilage, and within it resides a network of semicircular canals. The canals are filled with fluid. The position of the fluid changes with movement and as a result, a sensor in the ear sends the information to the brain to contribute to sense of balance.
Eyes: record the position of the body in space and the direction of motion.
Cutaneous pressure receptors: are located in the legs and inform the brain what part of the body is down and touching the ground.
Sensory receptors: are in the muscles, joints and spinal column, which inform the brain if the body parts have moved.
Vestibular Disorders
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- Baron R, Steenerson KK, Alyono J. Acute Vestibular Syndrome and ER Presentations of Dizziness. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2021 Oct;54(5):925-938.
- Ahmadi SA, Vivar G, Navab N, Möhwald K, Maier A, Hadzhikolev H, Brandt T, Grill E, Dieterich M, Jahn K, Zwergal A. Modern machine-learning can support diagnostic differentiation of central and peripheral acute vestibular disorders. J Neurol. 2020 Dec;267(Suppl 1):143-152.
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