The vestibule is the central, oval chamber of the bony labyrinth, lying between the cochlea in front and the semicircular canals behind. Its lateral wall contains the oval window. It houses the two otolith organs, the utricle and the saccule.
| Location | Centre of the bony labyrinth, medial to the oval window |
|---|---|
| Parts |
|
| Nerve Supply | Superior and inferior vestibular nerves (CN VIII) |
| Blood Supply | Anterior vestibular artery and vestibulocochlear artery (from the labyrinthine artery) |
Houses the otolith organs that sense linear acceleration and head tilt, and connects the cochlea and semicircular canals.
The vestibule is the hub of the inner ear: perilymph from it passes into the scala vestibuli, and the semicircular canals open into it. Disorders of the vestibular organs cause vertigo, imbalance and nausea. Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs) test saccule and utricle function.
Inflammation of the vestibular nerve causing sudden severe vertigo lasting days, without hearing loss, followed by gradual recovery.
Loss of vestibular function on both sides, often from gentamicin, causing unsteadiness in the dark and bouncing vision when walking.
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