The vestibular system is the special somatic afferent sensory system. which governs balance, posture maintenance, and the coordination of vestibular-ocular reflexes. The vestibular system consists of five organs: 3 semicircular canals and 2 otolith organs. The semicircular canals sense angular acceleration while the otolith organs (utricle and saccule) sense linear acceleration.
Damage to any portion of the vestibular system can result in symptoms such as dizziness, difficult balancing, or nausea, Some of the most common disorders including benign paroxysmal positional vertigo and migraine associated vertigo will be addressed.
We discuss the normal function of the vestibular system, the pathophysiology of several common vestibular disorders and treatment options for patients suffering from these disorders.
Kathleen Cullen and Soroush Sadeghi (2008) Vestibular system. Scholarpedia, 3(1):2013.
Lee, Steve (2012). "Vestibular System Anatomy." Retrieved November 24, 2013, from http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/883956-overview.
Lee, Steve (2012). "Vestibular System Anatomy." Retrieved November 24, 2013, from http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/883956-overview.