Vestibular system

Vestibular system

The area of the inner ear that helps maintain balance.

Mentioned in: Dizziness

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vestibular

1. pertaining to any vestibule.

2. pertaining to the vestibular organ.

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vestibular apparatus

includes the vestibular organ and the vestibular branch of the vestibulocochlear nerve.

canine idiopathic vestibular syndrome

seen in aged dogs, characterized by the sudden onset of head tilt, nystagmus, rolling, falling and circling, often with considerable distress. The cause is unknown, but a peripheral vestibular lesion is suspected. Signs usually regress within a few days. Called also geriatric vestibular syndrome, 'stroke'.

feline vestibular syndrome

an acute onset of head tilt, rolling and nystagmus in cats of all ages. There is usually rapid improvement over a few days. The cause is unknown.

geriatric vestibular syndrome

see canine idiopathic vestibular syndrome (above).

vestibular gland

see bartholin's glands.

vestibular membrane

one of the membranes subdividing the osseous labyrinth into three compartments.

vestibular organ

consists of a bony labyrinth containing a membranous labyrinth in the inner ear. Part of the membranous labyrinth is the nonacoustic labyrinth or vestibular organ. The vestibular organ consists of the membranous saccule and utricle and semicircular canals. The semicircular canals contain balance end organs called cristae and the saccule and utricle contain similar end organs called maculae. The organ is essential in the maintenance of the animal's balance.

paradoxical vestibular syndrome

vestibular signs of head tilt and ataxia to the side opposite the lesion. Reported in dogs with tumors of the choroid plexus.

vestibular syndrome

see vestibular ataxia, canine idiopathic vestibular syndrome (above), feline vestibular syndrome (above).

vestibular system

see vestibular apparatus (above).

vestibular window

see oval window.