In which part of the brain is sensory information about equi

In which part of the brain is sensory information about equilibrium processed? Are there any accessory areas that aid in equilibrium sensation and processing? Which of the special senses organs play a role in regulating equilibrium? Anant is a 20-year-old college student with periodic attacks of severe dizziness and nausea. He reports to the otolaryngologist that he never knows when his attacks of dizziness will strike, and that they last from 10 minutes to one hour. They often cause him to vomit. He also reports that he has a persistent low buzzing sound in one ear and that he does not hear low tones well since the attacks started. The buzzing sound gets worse during his attacks of dizziness.

Solution

Sensory information for body\'s equilibrium is controlled by the vestibular system. This sensory appratus is located in the inner ear and helps in maintainence of body\'s postural equilibrium. It also coordinates the position of the head and the movement of the eyes.

The accessory areas of the system comprises of two components; the semicircular canal system indicating the rotational movements and the otoliths indicating the linear accelerations. Thus in the inner ear, or labyrinth, the semicircular canals respond to rotational movements whereas the utricle and saccule located in the vestibule, coordinates the position of the head with respect to gravity. The five sensory organs innervated by the vestibular nerve comprise of three semicircular canals and two otolith organs. The vesibular system is closely coordinated to the cerebellum and reflex centres of the spinal cord and brain stem. This aids in governing movements of the eyes, neck, and limbs.

Along with vestibular organs in the inner ear, the eyes, the joints and the muscles control a body\'s balance by sending nerve signals to the brain.Thus the vestibular system as a whole works with visual as well as skeletal systems to maintain orientation or balance.

In case of malfunctioning of this system, the sence of equlibrium is disturbed and the individual suffers from dizziness, disorientation and nausea, even vertigo. Dysunction of any of the organ related to this system can result in loss of balance. ....As in the given case study. Anant must be suffering from dysfunction of vestibular system and thus suffers from periodic dizziness and nausea attacks.