BALANCE
I). Equilibrium (Mechnoreceptors)
| Responds to position of the head plus vision and position of the limbs. |
II). Static Equilibrium:
 |
| Maculae in the cochlea and the semicircular canal respond to linear motion of the head but not on unchanging head position. |
| A change in the position of the vertical hairs in the maculae results in nerve impulses down the vestibular nerve |
III). Dynamic Equilibrium
A). Crista ampullaris: Hair cell receptors in the semicircular canals
B). Semicircular canals are located in all 3 planes and rotational movement of the head will affect a receptor.
C). Respond to changes in velocity of rotatory movement.As the hairs are bent they depolarize and send impulses
D). Pathway
1). Hair cells send impulse to the vestibular nerve.
2). To the brain stem or cerebellum integrate information from vision and somatic receptors and sends reflex actions to the brain stem motor center.
3). Skeletal muscle activity, posture and head position are adjusted.
