Neurology Lab 7 - Module 3 - Balance and Vestibular Mechanism: Page 1 of 2

READINGS:

Gray's Anatomy for Students (Fourth Edition): Pages: 942-960

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Begin with the right side. of the cadaver's head.

The organs of balance are encased in a bony labrynth.

	What sensory nerve innervates the organs of balance?
The vestibular branch of the vestibulocohlear nerve CN VIII. They are composed of three semicircular canals. These are the anterior, posterior and lateral semicircular canals.

	What is their orientation to one another?
They are at right angles to one another.

	What is the significance of this orientation?
The three planes that are created give our brains a sense of orientation of the x, y, and z axes.