Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Equilibrium and Balance

Equilibrium and Balance

The inner ear assumes dual functionalities of auditory perception and equilibrium maintenance. The vestibule is the organ responsible for balance. This organ contains mechanoreceptors, specifically hair cells, endowed with stereocilia, which aid in deciphering information regarding the position and motion of our heads. Two intrinsic components, the utricle and saccule, help perceive head position, while the semicircular canals track head movement. Neurological messages initiated in the...

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.

Unrenewable Cells

Unrenewable Cells

In humans, the photoreceptor cells of the eye and sensory hair cells of the ear lack stem cells. These cells are thus unrenewable and cannot be replaced when they are damaged or destroyed.
Photoreceptors
The retina is composed of several layers and contains specialized cells called photoreceptors. The photoreceptors (rods and cones) change their membrane potential when stimulated by light energy. There are two types of photoreceptors—rods and cones—which differ in the shape of their outer...

Anatomy of the Ear

Anatomy of the Ear

Auditory sensation, commonly called hearing, involves the transformation of sonic waves into neural impulses facilitated by the structures of the auditory organ. The prominent, flesh-like structure on the side of the head, called the auricle, directs sound waves towards the auditory canal. The auricle is often mislabeled as the pinna, a term more aligned with mobile structures like a feline's external ear. The auditory canal penetrates the cranium via the external auditory meatus of the...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Hypoglossal nerve stimulation in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea: Update on French practices and position paper of the SFRMS, SPLF and SFORL sleep medicine work-group.

European annals of otorhinolaryngology, head and neck diseases·2025

Same author

Hertz, the unfailing companion of the Decibel.

European annals of otorhinolaryngology, head and neck diseases·2024

Same author

A century ago, the birth of the decibel.

European annals of otorhinolaryngology, head and neck diseases·2024

Same author

Two hundred years ago, the birth of the Ode to Joy, by a world-famous deaf German.

European annals of otorhinolaryngology, head and neck diseases·2024

Same author

Aural tuberculosis at the start of the 21st century. Literature review according to SWiM guidelines. Part 2: Treatment.

European annals of otorhinolaryngology, head and neck diseases·2022

Same author

Aural tuberculosis at the start of the 21st century. Literature review according to SWiM guidelines. Part 1: Clinical and diagnostic data.

European annals of otorhinolaryngology, head and neck diseases·2022

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 13, 2026

Canalostomy As a Surgical Approach to Local Drug Delivery into the Inner Ears of Adult and Neonatal Mice

Canalostomy As a Surgical Approach to Local Drug Delivery into the Inner Ears of Adult and Neonatal Mice

Published on: May 25, 2018

Bilateral semicircular canal aplasia.

R Breheret¹, C Brecheteau¹, J-Y Tanguy²

¹Service d'Oto-Rhino-Laryngologie et Chirurgie Cervico-Faciale, CHU d'Angers, 4, rue Larrey, 49100 Angers, France.

European Annals of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Diseases

|March 12, 2013

Summary

Bilateral semicircular canal aplasia, a rare condition, was found incidentally in a patient with hearing loss. This isolated anomaly highlights potential underdiagnosis due to lack of symptoms.

Keywords:

CHARGE syndrome Congenital inner ear malformation Semicircular canal aplasia

More Related Videos

Intrathecal Application of a Fluorescent Dye for the Identification of Cerebrospinal Fluid Leaks in Cochlear Malformation

Intrathecal Application of a Fluorescent Dye for the Identification of Cerebrospinal Fluid Leaks in Cochlear Malformation

Published on: February 29, 2020

Posterior Semicircular Canal Approach for Inner Ear Gene Delivery in Neonatal Mouse

Posterior Semicircular Canal Approach for Inner Ear Gene Delivery in Neonatal Mouse

Published on: March 2, 2018

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 13, 2026

Canalostomy As a Surgical Approach to Local Drug Delivery into the Inner Ears of Adult and Neonatal Mice

Canalostomy As a Surgical Approach to Local Drug Delivery into the Inner Ears of Adult and Neonatal Mice

Published on: May 25, 2018

Intrathecal Application of a Fluorescent Dye for the Identification of Cerebrospinal Fluid Leaks in Cochlear Malformation

Intrathecal Application of a Fluorescent Dye for the Identification of Cerebrospinal Fluid Leaks in Cochlear Malformation

Published on: February 29, 2020

Posterior Semicircular Canal Approach for Inner Ear Gene Delivery in Neonatal Mouse

Posterior Semicircular Canal Approach for Inner Ear Gene Delivery in Neonatal Mouse

Published on: March 2, 2018

Area of Science:

Otolaryngology
Developmental Biology
Genetics

Background:

Bilateral semicircular canal aplasia is an extremely rare congenital malformation.
Discovery is often serendipitous, particularly when the cochlear-vestibular system is otherwise normal and there is no hearing loss.

Observation:

A 24-year-old male with unilateral mixed hearing loss and subnormal contralateral hearing was found to have bilateral semicircular canal aplasia.
This was an isolated finding, not associated with any known syndrome.

Findings:

This case represents the second reported instance of bilateral aplasia of the entire semicircular canal system.
The anomaly was discovered during the investigation of hearing loss, suggesting a potential link.

Implications:

The true incidence of isolated bilateral semicircular canal aplasia may be underestimated due to the absence of overt symptoms.
Further research into embryological and molecular aspects is warranted to understand this rare condition.
This case underscores the importance of thorough vestibular assessment in patients with hearing deficits.