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An otolith (Ancient Greek: ὠτο-, ōto-ear + λῐ́θος, líthos, a stone), also called otoconium, statolith, or statoconium, is a calcium carbonate structure in the saccule or utricle of the inner ear, specifically in the vestibular system of vertebrates. The saccule and utricle, in turn, together make the otolith organs.
The utricle and saccule are the two otolith organs in the vertebrate inner ear.The word utricle comes from Latin uter 'leather bag'. The utricle and saccule are part of the balancing system (membranous labyrinth) in the vestibule of the bony labyrinth (small oval chamber). [1]
The otolith organs include the utricle and the saccule. The otolith organs are beds of sensory cells in the inner ear, specifically small patches of hair cells. Overlying the hair cells and their hair bundles is a gelatinous layer and above that layer is the otolithic membrane. [ 1 ]
Vertigo refers to the inappropriate perception of motion. This is due to dysfunction of the vestibular system. One common type of vertigo is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, when an otolith is displaced from the ventricles to the semicircular canal. The displaced otolith rests on the cupola, causing a sensation of movement when there is none.
(Endolymph is located in the cochlear duct - the light green region at the middle of the diagram.) illustration of otolith organs showing detail of utricle , ococonia , endolymph, cupula, macula , hair cell filaments, and saccular nerve
In addition, the vestibular system's function can be affected by tumours on the vestibulocochlear nerve, an infarct in the brain stem or in cortical regions related to the processing of vestibular signals, and cerebellar atrophy. When the vestibular system and the visual system deliver incongruous results, nausea often occurs.
The clitoris is the only organ in the human body that exists exclusively for pleasure. Those in the medical community had no reason to assume they were wrong. The anatomical “maps” that anchored their education must have seemed as sturdy and steadfast as Mercator’s, with every organ plotted and every muscle annotated.
The vestibular system is the region of the inner ear where the semicircular canals converge, close to the cochlea. The vestibular system works with the visual system to keep objects in view when the head is moved. Joint and muscle receptors are also important in maintaining balance.