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The Vestibular System

The Vestibular System

The vestibular system is a set of inner ear structures that provide a sense of balance and spatial orientation. This system is comprised of structures within the labyrinth of the inner ear, including the cochlea and two otolith organs—the utricle and saccule. The labyrinth also contains three semicircular canals—superior, posterior, and horizontal—that are oriented on different planes.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 25, 2026

Surgical Labyrinthectomy of the Rat to Study the Vestibular System

Surgical Labyrinthectomy of the Rat to Study the Vestibular System

Published on: May 19, 2018

Vestibular prosthesis tested in rhesus monkeys.

Richard F Lewis¹, Csilla Haburcakova, Wangsong Gong

¹Jenks Vestibular Physiology Laboratory, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Department of Otology and Laryngology at the Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA. richard_lewis@meei.harvard.edu

Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. Annual International Conference

|January 19, 2012

Summary

A new semicircular canal prosthesis aims to restore balance and spatial orientation in rhesus monkeys with vestibular loss. This 3D-stimulation device shows promise for improving postural control and the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR).

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Last Updated: May 25, 2026

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Published on: May 19, 2018

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Biomedical Engineering
Vestibular System Research

Background:

Bilateral vestibular hypofunction significantly impairs postural control, spatial orientation perception, and the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR).
Current treatments for vestibular dysfunction are limited, necessitating novel approaches to restore lost function.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate the effectiveness of a novel semicircular canal prosthesis in improving postural control, spatial orientation perception, and VOR in rhesus monkeys with induced bilateral vestibular loss.
To compare the efficacy of a 3D-stimulation prosthesis with previous 1D-prosthesis findings.

Main Methods:

Characterization of normal postural, perceptual (subjective visual vertical), and angular VOR responses in rhesus monkeys.
Induction of bilateral vestibular hypofunction using intratympanic gentamicin.
Chronic implantation of multisite stimulating electrodes into semicircular canal ampullae, followed by bilateral electrical stimulation modulated by a 3D angular head velocity-sensing prosthesis.

Main Results:

A prior study using a 1D prosthesis demonstrated improvements in balance, perceived head orientation, and VOR in the plane of the stimulated canal.
Current studies are characterizing normal responses before proceeding with vestibular ablation and prosthesis implantation.
Preliminary findings suggest that a 1D prosthesis can partially restore vestibular function.

Conclusions:

A 3D semicircular canal prosthesis is predicted to provide more comprehensive restoration of vestibular function than 1D approaches.
This research holds potential for developing advanced neuroprosthetic devices to treat vestibular disorders.
The study aims to significantly advance the understanding and treatment of balance and orientation deficits.