Vestibule (utricle & saccule)

Looks like

The central chamber of the inner ear, holding two small sacs lined with sensing hairs and tiny crystals.

What it does

Senses gravity, head tilt and straight-line movement.

Keeping it well

Crystals shaken loose cause brief spinning on turning in bed (BPPV); a simple head manoeuvre often cures it.

Related conditions

• Earwax blockage
• Hearing loss & presbycusis
• Ménière's disease
• Motion sickness
• Noise-induced hearing loss
• Tinnitus
• Vertigo (BPPV, vestibular neuritis)
• Vestibular schwannoma (acoustic neuroma)