Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 18, 2025

Assessment of Static Graviceptive Perception in the Roll-Plane using the Subjective Visual Vertical Paradigm
Published on: April 28, 2020
The saccule and gravity
Hisako Ichijo1, Hiroaki Ichijo1
1Ichijo Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic, Hirosaki, Japan.
Background:
The important role of the saccule is the sensing of gravity. In other words, gravity always stimulates the macula of the saccule.
Objectives:
The aim of this study was to clarify whether nystagmus and dizziness occur by intentional changes upon stimulation to the saccules.
Methods:
The subjects were eight healthy humans. Experiment 1: Subjects were asked to maintain a supine position to check for nystagmus and dizziness. Experiment 2: Subjects were asked to tilt their heads 45º to the left in the supine position to check for nystagmus and dizziness. Experiment 3: Subjects were asked to maintain a left-ear-down 90º position to check for nystagmus and dizziness.
Results:
In all the experiments, no one revealed nystagmus and no one complained of dizziness.
Conclusion:
Neither nystagmus nor dizziness occurs by intentional changes in the stimulation to the saccules.
Related Concept Videos
Equilibrium and Balance
The Vestibular System
Major Somatic Sensory Pathways
Measuring Acceleration Due to Gravity
A simple pendulum can be described as a point mass and a string. Meanwhile, a physical pendulum is any object whose oscillations are similar to a simple pendulum, but cannot be modeled as a point mass on a string because its mass is distributed over a larger area. The behavior of a physical pendulum can be modeled using the principles of...
Auditory Perception
Gyroscope

