[The physiopathology of vertigo]

Vertigo is the predominant symptom in labyrinthine dysfunction, and is characterized by an unpleasant modification of the sense of static or dynamic orientation. In order to arrive at a correct clinical interpretation of this symptom and to administer the appropriate treatment, both its etiology and the underlying physiopathological mechanisms need be specified. In the present paper, we shall review a few qualitative concepts, which seem interesting to us and namely concern, on the one hand, the physiopathological mechanisms of vertigo and, on the other hand, the basic principles of the function of peripheral receptors bearing some etiological significance.