Angel Ramos de Miguel1,2, Andrzej Zarowski3, Morgana Sluydts3, Angel Ramos Macias4,5, Floris L Wuyts6. 1. Department of Otolaryngology, and Head and Neck Surgery, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario Insular Materno Infantil de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain, aramos.gcc@gmail.com. 2. Department of Otolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Hearing and Balance Laboratory, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain, aramos.gcc@gmail.com. 3. European Institute for Otorhinolaryngology, GZA Hospitals Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium. 4. Department of Otolaryngology, and Head and Neck Surgery, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario Insular Materno Infantil de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain. 5. Department of Otolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Hearing and Balance Laboratory, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain. 6. Lab for Equilibrium Investigations and Aerospace, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The peripheral vestibular end organ is considered to consist of semi-circular canals (SCC) for detection of angular accelerations and the otoliths for detection of linear accelerations. However, otoliths being phylogenetically the oldest part of the vestibular sensory organs are involved in detection of all motions. SUMMARY: This study elaborates on this property of the otolith organ, as this concept can be of importance for the currently designed vestibular implant devices. Key Message: The analysis of the evolution of the inner ear and examination of clinical examples shows the robustness of the otolith system and inhibition capacity of the SCC. The otolith system must be considered superior to the SCC system as illustrated by evolution, clinical evidence, and physical principles.
BACKGROUND: The peripheral vestibular end organ is considered to consist of semi-circular canals (SCC) for detection of angular accelerations and the otoliths for detection of linear accelerations. However, otoliths being phylogenetically the oldest part of the vestibular sensory organs are involved in detection of all motions. SUMMARY: This study elaborates on this property of the otolith organ, as this concept can be of importance for the currently designed vestibular implant devices. Key Message: The analysis of the evolution of the inner ear and examination of clinical examples shows the robustness of the otolith system and inhibition capacity of the SCC. The otolith system must be considered superior to the SCC system as illustrated by evolution, clinical evidence, and physical principles.
Authors: Julia A Schwab; Mark T Young; Stig A Walsh; Lawrence M Witmer; Yanina Herrera; Zena L Timmons; Ian B Butler; Stephen L Brusatte Journal: R Soc Open Sci Date: 2022-03-23 Impact factor: 2.963