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

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.

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...

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by

Same author

Metal-metal <i>vs.</i> metal-ligand cooperation in iron-mediated activation and catalytic reduction of nitrous oxide and nitrobenzene.

Chemical science·2026

Same author

Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation and Its Effects on Sympathetic Nervous System Activation.

Journal of integrative neuroscience·2025

Same author

Carbon-carbon bond formation and cleavage at redox active bis(pyridylimino)isoindole (BPI) germylene compounds.

Dalton transactions (Cambridge, England : 2003)·2025

Same author

A low-coordinate platinum(0)-germylene for E-H bond activation and catalytic hydrodehalogenation.

Nature communications·2024

Same author

Editorial: ASICs: structure, function, and pharmacology, part II.

Frontiers in physiology·2024

Same author

Galvanic vestibular stimulation activates the parietal and temporal cortex in humans: A functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) study.

The European journal of neuroscience·2023

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 28, 2025

Using Unidirectional Rotations to Improve Vestibular System Asymmetry in Patients with Vestibular Dysfunction

Using Unidirectional Rotations to Improve Vestibular System Asymmetry in Patients with Vestibular Dysfunction

Published on: August 30, 2019

Vestibular prosthesis: from basic research to clinics.

Enrique Soto¹, Adriana Pliego^1,2, Rosario Vega¹

¹Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Instituto de Fisiología, Puebla, Mexico.

Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience

|June 2, 2023

Summary

Developing a vestibular prosthesis using microelectronics offers new hope for balance disorder patients. This technology aims to restore vestibular function, improving visual stability and posture for those with damaged vestibular endorgans.

Keywords:

balance disorders galvanic vestibular stimulation sensory substitution vestibular implant vestibular prosthesis vestibulopathy

More Related Videos

A Vibrotactile Feedback Device for Seated Balance Assessment and Training

A Vibrotactile Feedback Device for Seated Balance Assessment and Training

Published on: January 20, 2019

Estimating Vestibular Perceptual Thresholds Using a Six-Degree-Of-Freedom Motion Platform

Estimating Vestibular Perceptual Thresholds Using a Six-Degree-Of-Freedom Motion Platform

Published on: August 4, 2022

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 28, 2025

Using Unidirectional Rotations to Improve Vestibular System Asymmetry in Patients with Vestibular Dysfunction

Using Unidirectional Rotations to Improve Vestibular System Asymmetry in Patients with Vestibular Dysfunction

Published on: August 30, 2019

A Vibrotactile Feedback Device for Seated Balance Assessment and Training

A Vibrotactile Feedback Device for Seated Balance Assessment and Training

Published on: January 20, 2019

Estimating Vestibular Perceptual Thresholds Using a Six-Degree-Of-Freedom Motion Platform

Estimating Vestibular Perceptual Thresholds Using a Six-Degree-Of-Freedom Motion Platform

Published on: August 4, 2022

Area of Science:

Biomedical Engineering
Neuroscience
Otolaryngology

Background:

Balance disorders are prevalent, causing significant disability and socioeconomic impact.
Current rehabilitation methods offer limited efficacy for many patients.
Microelectronics offers a novel approach to restore vestibular function.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the development and testing of vestibular implant (VI) prototypes.
To explore the use of microelectronics, inspired by cochlear implants, to substitute vestibular function.
To discuss strategies for future device development and complex implant combinations.

Main Methods:

Review of existing literature on vestibular prosthesis development.
Examination of implantable and non-implantable device outcomes.
Analysis of device parameters and targeted physiological functions (balance, gaze).

Main Results:

Diverse outcomes reported for VI prototypes based on vestibular pathway integrity and device parameters.
Successful substitution of vestibular function for visual stability and posture is a key goal.
Technological advances in micro-gyroscopes and accelerometers are crucial.

Conclusions:

Vestibular prostheses show promise for treating balance disorders.
Further research is needed to optimize device design and implantation strategies.
Future directions include complex combinations of implantable devices for multifaceted balance and motor control disorders.