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Related Concept Videos

Equilibrium and Balance01:15

Equilibrium and Balance

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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...
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The Vestibular System01:29

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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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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...
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The auditory system is essential for sound perception, utilizing various critical structures. When sound waves enter the outer ear, they travel through the ear canal and cause the eardrum to vibrate. These vibrations are then transmitted to the middle ear, where three tiny bones – the malleus, incus, and stapes – amplify the sound. This amplification is crucial, as it ensures that the sound vibrations are strong enough to be conveyed to the inner ear. These vibrations then reach the...
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The Auditory Ossicles01:11

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The auditory ossicles of the middle ear transmit sounds from the air as vibrations to the fluid-filled cochlea. The auditory ossicles consist of two malleus (hammer) bones, two incus (anvil) bones, and two stapes (stirrups), one on each side. These bones develop during the fetal stage and are the ones to ossify first. They are fully mature at birth and do not grow afterward.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 10, 2025

Measuring the Influence of Magnetic Vestibular Stimulation on Nystagmus, Self-Motion Perception, and Cognitive Performance in a 7T MRT
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Invisible saccule in 3T MRI: insights into inner ear vulnerability and fluid dynamics.

Yuya Yokoyama1, Masumi Kobayashi1, Tadao Yoshida1

  • 1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan.

Acta Oto-Laryngologica
|August 20, 2025
PubMed
Summary

An invisible saccule (IS) in the inner ear is linked to hearing loss and increased perilymphatic enhancement (PE) on MRI. This condition may result from structural collapse, potentially affecting the blood-labyrinth barrier and lymphatic flow.

Keywords:
Invisible sacculeMeniere’s diseaseendolymphatic hydropsmagnetic resonance imaging

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In Vivo Morphometric Analysis of Human Cranial Nerves Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Menière's Disease Ears and Normal Hearing Ears
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In Vivo Morphometric Analysis of Human Cranial Nerves Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Menière's Disease Ears and Normal Hearing Ears

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Area of Science:

  • Otolaryngology
  • Neuroimaging
  • Vestibular System Anatomy

Background:

  • The inner ear's trabecular mesh is vital for vestibular organ structure, especially in the pars superior.
  • Absence of this mesh in the pars inferior can lead to an invisible saccule (IS).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze clinical features and MRI findings (endolymphatic hydrops [EH] and perilymphatic enhancement [PE]) in ears with an invisible saccule (IS).
  • To elucidate the underlying mechanism contributing to the development of IS.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 89 IS ears and 71 visible saccule (VS) ears from 406 patients (2021-2024).
  • Exclusion criteria included middle ear disease, schwannoma, perilymphatic fistula, and post-intratympanic injection cases.

Main Results:

  • IS ears exhibited poorer hearing, particularly low frequencies, and higher PE compared to VS ears.
  • 13% of IS cases were diagnosed with Meniere's disease, showing cochlear EH and higher PE in those with vertigo.

Conclusions:

  • Invisible saccule (IS) development is associated with loss of structural support, leading to membranous labyrinth collapse and potential fistula formation.
  • This breakdown may compromise the blood-labyrinth barrier and alter lymphatic fluid dynamics.