Synonyms
Definition
The superior, posterior, and lateral semicircular canals of the inner ear responsible for balance and the movement of the head
Introduction
The semicircular canals are part of the structures of the inner ear, specifically the bony labyrinth. (Munir and Clarke 2013). The canals are filled with perilymph (Hain and Helminsky 2007). Their neurosensory elements are known as the crista and cupula, and the neurosensory elements of the canals’ otolithic organs are known as the macule and the striole. The semicircular canals are responsible for keeping the person’s balance and posture; they are also responsible for the movement of the head with the help of the otolithic organs.
Structure of Semicircular Canals
The semicircular canals are part of the bony labyrinth of the inner ear (Munir and Clarke 2013). The bony labyrinth consists not only of the semicircular canals but of the cochlea as well. The canals are filled with a fluid similar to the cerebral...
References
Chandrasekhar, S. (2013). The assessment of balance and dizziness in the TBI patient. NeuroRehabilitation, 32, 445–454.
Chang, R., & Khana, S. (2013). Anatomy of the vestibular system: A review. NeuroRehabilitation, 32, 437–443. https://doi.org/10.3233/NRE-130866.
Hain, T. C., & Helminsky, J. O. (2007). Anatomy and physiology of the normal vestibular system. In Vestibular rehabilitation (3rd ed., p. 214). Philadelphia: FA Davis Company.
Lee, S. C., Razek, O. A., & Dorfman, B. E. (2016). Vestibular system anatomy. In A. Meyers, F. Talavera, & P. Roland (Eds.), Medscape. Retrieved from https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/883956-overview.
Munir, N., & Clarke, R. (2013). Ear, nose and throat at a glance. West Sussex: Wiley-Blackwell/Wiley.
Pickles, J. O. (2012). An introduction to the physiology of hearing (4th ed.). Bingley: Emerald Group Publishing Limited.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Section Editor information
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2018 Springer International Publishing AG
About this entry
Cite this entry
Khalil, M. (2018). Semicircular Canals. In: Shackelford, T., Weekes-Shackelford, V. (eds) Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6_993-1
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6_993-1
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-16999-6
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-16999-6
eBook Packages: Springer Reference Behavioral Science and PsychologyReference Module Humanities and Social SciencesReference Module Business, Economics and Social Sciences