Acoustic Nerve
The nerve that carries impulses concerned with balance and hearing between the inner ear and the brain.

Acoustic Neuroma
A tumor growing from the acoustic nerve.

BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Position Vertigo)
A vestibular disorder that can cause dizziness, vertigo, and imbalance usually when the head is moved in a particular direction or shortly after lying down in bed.

Brainstem
The central area of your brain which receives information relating to balance. Initiates the body's muscle attachments to adjust as needed to maintain proper balance and clear vision when movement occurs.

Cerebellum
The muscle coordination center of the brain.

Cerebral Cortex
The part of the brain that controls voluntary movement, and coordinates thinking, and memory.

Cholesteatoma
A cyst-like growth that occurs most commonly in the middle ear.

Cochlea
The part of the inner ear that contains the organ of hearing.

Cupula
A gelatinous material covering the hair cells within each of the ear canals.

Endolymph
A fluid contained within the semicircular canals,vestibule, and cochlea of the inner ear.

Endolymphatic Hydrops
A vestibular disorder causing dizziness, vertigo, and or imbalance when there is a fluctuation in pressure or composition of the endolymph.

Hair Cells
Sensory receptors of the vestibular system located in the macular organs and the cupula of each ear canal.

Idiopathic
Symptoms occurring without known cause.

Labyrinth
The inner ear

Labyrinthitis
Inflammation of the inner ear.

Macula
A group of hair cells residing in either the saccula or utricle covered with gelatinous material containing otoliths.

Meniere's Disease
A vestibular disorder of unknown cause which can occur at intervals and is characterized by dizziness, vertigo, tinitus, a feeling of fullness in the inner ear and intermittent hearing loss.

Nystagmus
Involuntary coordinated eye movement that occurs when your head moves or as your eyes follow a moving object.

Otic Capsule
Bone surrounding the inner ear.

Otoliths
Small granules of calcium carbonate found in the macula of the utricle and saccule.

Ototoxic
"Poisonous to the ear" Any substance that effects hearing or vestibular functions.

Oval Window
Thin wall of tissue covering one of the two openings between the middle ear space and the fluid filled inner ear.

Perilymph Fistula
A vestibular disorder caused by an abnormal opening between the middle ear space and the fluid filled inner-ear resulting in symptoms of dizziness,vertigo, imbalance, and or hearing loss.

Propriocepters
Specialized nerve endings located in muscles and around joints that are sensitive to touch, pressure, and the movement of muscle tissue surrounding them.

Round Window
Thin-walled tissue that covers one of the two openings between the middle ear space and the fluid filled inner ear.

Saccule
The part of the vestibular system that contains sensory receptors sensitive to changes in head movement with respect to the earth vertical.

Semicircular Canals
The part of the vestibular system that contains sensory receptors sensitive to changes in head movement in any direction.

Tinnitus
Ringing or noise in the ear.

Utricle
The part of the vestibular system that contains sensory receptors sensitive to changes in head movement with respect to earth horizontal.

Vertigo
A sensation of rotation or movement of yourself in respect to your surroundings.

Vestibular Nerve
A branch of the acoustic nerve that carries impulses concerning balance between the inner ear and the brain.

Vestibular system
Portion of the inner ear concerning balance and body orientation, consisting of semicircular canals and the vestibule in each ear.

Vestibule
Part of the vestibular system containing nerve endings that are sensitive to changes in the head.