Publication
Title
Modelling shows that stimulation of the semicircular canals depends on the rotation centre
Author
Abstract
The vestibular system in the inner ear senses head movements, which is indispensable for balance during locomotion. The semicircular canals of the vestibular system are stimulated during head rotations, due to the interplay between its endolymph fluid and its cupula membrane. Until now, it has been assumed that the stimulation of the canals is independent of the rotation centre. However, Fluid-Structure Interaction investigation now shows that the horizontal canal is more strongly stimulated when the rotation centre lies further from the canal. Such eccentric rotations result in a different stimulation of the left and the right canal, because the distance to the rotation centre differs between both ears. The dissimilar stimulation enables localization of the rotation centre based on information from the canals alone, similar to sound localization based on the interaural time difference for hearing. Additionally, a rotation centre further away from the canal will probably elicit a larger reflexive eye movement. This is exactly what is required to compensate the larger change in viewing angle, and it corresponds to experimental findings. Two fictitious forces (d'Alembert forces), the centrifugal force and the Euler force, cause the rotation centre-dependency of the canal stimulation. Implications for (pre)clinical eccentric rotation experiments are discussed. (c) 2020 Published by Elsevier B.V.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Hearing research. - Amsterdam
Publication
Amsterdam : 2020
ISSN
0378-5955
DOI
10.1016/J.HEARES.2020.108071
Volume/pages
396 (2020) , 7 p.
Article Reference
108071
ISI
000579776700010
Pubmed ID
32920474
Medium
E-only publicatie
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Project info
Evolutionary biomechanics of the vestibular system of lizards: a modelling approach
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 01.12.2020
Last edited 08.12.2024
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