Semicircular Canals & Vestibular Nerve

Semicircular Canals The Semicircular Canals consists of three canals called the Superior Semicircular Canal, the Posterior Semicircular Canal, and the Horizontal Semicircular Canal. They comence on the front of the Cochlea, run in a loop, and end on the back of the Cochlea. Each Canal is filled with some liquid, and have hairlike fibres lining them. The Canals' purposes, however, are not for hearing. They are used for balance. When your head moves the liquid inside the canals flows up and down them, and the fibres sense the movement and sends messages to the brain by means of the Vestibular Nerve.

Vestibular Nerve The Vestibular Nerve is divided into three branches, the superior branch, inferior branch, and the posterior branch. Each branch is used to carry position messages to the Brain. Then the Brain sends messages to the rest of the body to keep you in balance.		Note: Not an exact picture.