Question

When paramedics were called to the scene of an industrial accident, they encountered a 27 year-old male, Brian seated holding his head in his hands. He complained of severe headache and nausea, and was evaluated and treated for a concussion. Several days later, Brian began to experience recurring episodes of vertigo (a sensation of motion or movement while the person is stationary) and was referred to a neurologist. Brian was diagnosed with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), which affects the vestibular apparatus of the inner ear.

1.Name the two functional divisions of the vestibular system.

2.Identify the key sensory receptor structures associated with each division, and state which aspect of equilibrium each receptor senses.

3.Based on Brians’ symptoms, speculate on which sensory structures were most impacted by the accident.

Answer 1

1. ANSWER: The two functional components of vestibular system are the, semicircular canals that indicate the rotational movement and otolith that indicate linear acceleration.

2. ANSWER: The sensory receptor in the Semicircular canals are the crista ampullaris. In the otolith the sensory hair cells are the receptors. Semicircular canals indicate the rotational movement and otolith indicate linear acceleration.

3. ANSWER: In Brain, the horizontal semicircular canal is the most affected part sensory part in BPPV. Here the otoconia that ehwn settles on the sensory receptor would induce symptoms like sensation of rotation by the patient.