The saccule is the smaller otolith organ, lying in the front lower part of the vestibule near the cochlea. Its macula lies roughly vertical when the head is upright. It connects to the cochlear duct through the ductus reuniens and to the utricle through the utriculosaccular duct.
| Location | Spherical recess in the front lower part of the vestibule |
|---|---|
| Parts |
|
| Nerve Supply | Saccular branch of the inferior vestibular nerve (CN VIII) |
| Blood Supply | Vestibulocochlear artery (posterior vestibular branch) |
Senses vertical linear acceleration and head position relative to gravity.
The saccule mainly senses vertical linear acceleration, such as when riding a lift. It is also somewhat sensitive to loud sound, which is the basis of the cervical VEMP test. It is often affected in Meniere disease and in some inherited forms of deafness.
Swelling of the saccule from excess endolymph in Meniere disease, which can press on the stapes footplate and contribute to imbalance.
A sudden fall without loss of consciousness in late Meniere disease, thought to arise from abrupt otolith organ stimulation.
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