Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Testing of all Six Semicircular Canals with Video Head Impulse Test Systems
Published on: April 18, 2019
Existence of possible functional interaction between the saccule and the posterior semicircular canal in humans: an
Chisato Fujimoto1, Shotaro Karino, Ken Ito
1Department of Otolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan. cfujimoto-tky@umin.ac.jp
Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of stimulation of the vertical semicircular canals on vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs). VEMPs were recorded in 14 subjects seated with their heads and necks tilted 120 degrees forward on the interaural axis. The head was rotated 45 degrees to the left or right from the sagittal plane; an angular acceleration around the earth's vertical axis was then provided. When the posterior semicircular canal (PSCC) of the recording side was excited, the rotation was defined as 'ipsilateral rotation', and the opposite rotation was defined as 'contralateral rotation'. The background muscle activity-corrected p13-n23 amplitude (CA) in the ipsilateral rotation was significantly smaller than CAs in the static state and the contralateral rotation. Functional interaction between the saccule and the PSCC could be detected.
Related Concept Videos
Equilibrium and Balance
The Vestibular System
Auditory Perception
Anatomy of the Ear
The Auditory Ossicles
The aptly named stapes look very much like a stirrup. The three ossicles are unique to mammals, and each plays a role in...
Major Somatic Sensory Pathways

