NETTER - Neuroscience Flash Cards

Vestibular Receptors
1. Vestibular ganglion
2. Saccule
3. Utricle
4. Cristae within ampullae
5. Gelatinous cupula
6. Hair tufts
7. Hair cells
8. Otoconia
9. Gelatinous otolith membrane
10. Efferent nerve ending
11. Supporting cells
12. Cuticle
13. Stereocilia
14. Kinocilium
15. Afferent nerve calyx
16. Myelin sheath
Comment: The vestibular receptors include hair cells in the cristae
ampullaris of the utricle (linear acceleration, gravity) and saccule
(low frequency vibration) and in the maculae of the orthogonally
oriented semicircular canals (angular acceleration, movement). Hair
tufts from the cristae ampullaris and the maculae are embedded
in a gelatinous substance that responds to gravity (utricle, otolith
forces) or head movement (kinocilium movement), depolarizing the
hair cell and resulting in release of a neurotransmitter that stimulates
the associated primary afferent of the vestibular (Scarpa’s) ganglion.
This system also has centrifugal or efferent modulation of the primary
afferent transduction process and associated afferent pathways.
Systemic Neuroscience See book 14.18