tailieunhanh - OTOLARYNGOLOGY

The vestibule of the inner ear senses head motion for spatial orientation and bodily balance. In vertebrates, the vestibular system consists of three fluid filled semicircular canals, which detect rotational acceleration, and two gravity receptor organs, the utricle and saccule, which respond to linear acceleration and gravity (Figure 1). The utricle and saccule are also referred to as the otolithic organs because they contain bio-crystals called otoconia (otolith in fish). These crystals are partially embedded in a honeycomb layer atop a fibrous meshwork, which are the otoconial complex altogether. This complex rests on the stereociliary bundles of hair cells in the utricular and saccular sensory epithelium (aka. | OTOLARYNGOLOGY Edited by Balwant Singh Gendeh Otolaryngology Edited by Balwant Singh Gendeh Published by InTech Janeza Trdine 9 51000 Rijeka Croatia Copyright 2012 InTech All chapters are Open Access distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution license which allows users to download copy and build upon published articles even for commercial purposes as long as the author and publisher are properly credited which ensures maximum dissemination and a wider impact of our publications. After this work has been published by InTech authors have the right to republish it in whole or part in any publication of which they are the author and to make other personal use of the work. Any republication referencing or personal use of the work must explicitly identify the original source. As for readers this license allows users to download copy and build upon published chapters even for commercial purposes as long as the author and publisher are properly credited which ensures maximum dissemination and a wider impact of our publications. Notice Statements and opinions expressed in the chapters are these of the individual contributors and not necessarily those of the editors or publisher. No responsibility is accepted for the accuracy of information contained in the published chapters. The publisher assumes no responsibility for any damage or injury to persons or property arising out of the use of any materials instructions methods or ideas contained in the book. Publishing Process Manager Romina Skomersic Technical Editor Teodora Smiljanic Cover Designer InTech Design Team First published May 2012 Printed in Croatia A free online edition of this book is available at Additional hard copies can be obtained from orders@ Otolaryngology Edited by Balwant Singh Gendeh p. cm. ISBN .