What is an otolith in humans?

The otoliths (ear-stones) are small structures in the inner ear used to register gravity and linear acceleration.

What is the purpose of the otoconia?

Otoconia are bio-crystals which couple mechanic forces to the sensory hair cells in the utricle and saccule, a process essential for us to sense linear acceleration and gravity for the purpose of maintaining bodily balance.

What are otoliths used for?

The otolith (ear stone or ear bone) is the most commonly used structure for determining the age of fish. Otoliths are calcium carbonate structures found inside the heads of bony fish; sharks and rays lack otoliths.

Why are otoliths important for humans?

The otoliths may be important in spatial cognition because of their evolutionary age as a sensory detector of orientation and the fact that velocity storage is important to the way that the brain encodes its place in space.

What is a Kinocilium?

Kinocilia are specialized primary cilia present in auditory hair cells (HCs) in the inner ear. These cilia do not directly mediate auditory mechano-electrical transduction (MET), but partially retain the characteristics of motility responsible for the response of HCs to sound stimuli.

How many otoconia do humans have?

We have three semicircular canals in each of our two inner ears. These canals (pictured below) are filled with fluid. As we turn our heads, that fluid moves and helps inform our body of our head’s location in space; another crucial part of maintaining balance.

Where are otoconia found?

inner ear
In vertebrates the utricular maculae in the inner ear contain an otolithic membrane and otoconia (particles of calcium carbonate) that bend hair cells in the direction of gravity. This response to gravitational pull helps animals maintain their sense of balance.

How do humans use otoliths?

Function: The otolith organs sense gravity and linear acceleration such as from due to initiation of movement in a straight line. Persons or animals without otolith organs or defective otoliths have poorer abilities to sense motion as well as orientation to gravity.