Labyrinth (inner ear)

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Labyrinth (inner ear)
Latin	labyrinthus vestibularis
Gray's	subject #232 1047
Artery	labyrinthine artery
MeSH	Labyrinth
Dorlands/Elsevier	l_01/12474346

For more uses of the word labyrinth, see Labyrinth (disambiguation)

The labyrinth is a system of fluid passages in the inner ear, including both the cochlea which is part of the auditory system, and the vestibular system which provides the sense of balance. It is named by analogy with the mythical maze that imprisoned the Minotaur, because of its appearance.

The vestibule is the region of the inner ear where the semicircular canals converge, close to the cochlea (the hearing organ). The vestibular system works with the visual system to keep objects in focus when the head is moving. Joint and muscle receptors also are important in maintaining balance. The brain receives, interprets, and processes the information from these systems that control our balance.

Pathology

Interference with or infection of the labyrinth can result in a syndrome of ailments called Labyrinthitis. The symptoms of Labrynthitis include temporary nausea, disorientation, vertigo, and dizziness. Labyrinthitis can be caused by viral infections, bacterial infections, physical blockage of the inner ear, or due to decompression sickness.

Anatomical details

Top image is antero-lateral and bottom image is postero-medial.

1. Lateral semicircular canal; 1’, its ampulla;
2. Posterior canal; 2’, its ampulla.
3. Superior canal; 3’, its ampulla.
4. Conjoined limb of superior and posterior canals (sinus utriculi superior).
5. Utricle. 5’. Recessus utriculi. 5”. Sinus utriculi posterior.
6. Ductus endolymphaticus.
7. Canalis utriculosaccularis.
8. Nerve to ampulla of superior canal.
9. Nerve to ampulla of lateral canal.
10. Nerve to recessus utriculi (in top image, the three branches appear conjoined). 10’. Ending of nerve in recessus utriculi.
11. Facial nerve.
12. Lagena cochleæ.
13. Nerve of cochlea within spiral lamina.
14. Basilar membrane.
15. Nerve fibers to macula of saccule.
16. Nerve to ampulla of posterior canal.
17. Saccule.
18. Secondary membrane of tympanum.
19. Canalis reuniens.
20. Vestibular end of ductus cochlearis.
21. Section of the facial and acoustic nerves within internal acoustic meatus (the separation between them is not apparent in the section).

See also

• Cochlea
• Vestibular system
• Inner ear
• Endolymph

v • d • e Sensory system: Auditory and Vestibular systems
Outer ear	pinna (Helix, Antihelix, Tragus, Antitragus, Earlobe) • Ear canal
Middle ear	Eardrum (Umbo) • Ossicles (Malleus, Incus & Stapes) • muscles (Stapedius, Tensor tympani) • Eustachian tube (Torus tubarius)
Inner ear/Labyrinth	Bony labyrinth (Vestibule) • Membranous labyrinth Oval window • Helicotrema • Round window Cochlea: Spiral ganglion • Modiolus • Cochlear duct/scala media (Endolymph, Stria vascularis, Spiral ligament, Organ of Corti) • Scala vestibuli and Scala tympani (Perilymph) Reissner's/vestibular membrane • Basilar membrane • Tectorial membrane Organ of Corti: Hair cells • Stereocilia • Sulcus spiralis (externus, internus) • Limbus spiralis
Vestibular system	Static/translations: Utricle (Macula) - Saccule (Macula, Endolymphatic sac, Endolymphatic duct) - Kinocilium - Otolith Kinetic/rotations: Semicircular canals (Superior, Posterior, Horizontal) • Cupula • Ampullae (Crista ampullaris)
Brain (auditory)	Cochlear nerve VIII → Cochlear nuclei → Trapezoid body → Superior olivary nuclei → Lateral lemniscus → Inferior colliculi → Medial geniculate nuclei → Primary auditory cortex

bg:Вестибуларен апаратfr:Labyrinthe (anatomie)

it:Labirinto auricolare nl:Labyrint (oor) sk:Labyrint (ucho) fi:Kaarikäytävät

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Acknowledgement and Attribution Regarding Sources of Content

Some of the initial content on this page may be incorporated in part from copyleft sources in the public domain including wikis such as Wikipedia and AskDrWiki. Drug information for patients came from the The National Library of Medicine. Infectious disease information may have come from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Differential Diagnoses are drawn from clinicians as well as an amalgamation of 3 sources: 1.The Disease Database; 2. Kahan, Scott, Smith, Ellen G. In A Page: Signs and Symptoms. Malden, Massachusetts: Blackwell Publishing, 2004:3; 3. Sailer, Christian, Wasner, Susanne. Differential Diagnosis Pocket. Hermosa Beach, CA: Borm Bruckmeir Publishing LLC, 2002:7 .