Question

How ear helps in maintaining equilibrium?

Answer 1

The semicircular canals and the vestibule of the inner ear together help to maintain the balance and equilibrium of the body. In these two structures of the inner ear, there are three semicircular canals and the vestibule (has the saccule and utricle). The ear maintains both static and dynamic equilibrium. Static equilibrium is maintenance of the proper head position in response to changes in linear motion such as walking. Dynamic equilibrium is the maintenance of proper head position in response to rotational movement such as turning. The vestibule lies between the semicircular canals and the cochlea (eardrum). The vestibule is responsible for maintaining static equilibrium while the semicircular canals maintain dynamic equilibrium.