Balance, Kinthestic Geotropic, and

Equilibrioception

By Andria Melin

Kinesthetic geotropic/ balance is an instrument for determining the weight or

the mass of a physical body

Semicircular canalsThe semicircular canals of the inner ear are three joints that come up together in a lump, or a vestibule

Science.psu.edu/alert/images/Walker/semicircular_canals.jpg

• In neutral head position:

• The lateral canal is excited by the rotation towards it

• The anterior canal is pitched either up or down

• The posterior semicircular canal is linear, and identifies

acceleration

www.daviddarling.info/images/semicircular_canals.jpg

EquilibrioceptionThe sense of acceleration

Supplementawards.co.uk/images/pic4_b.jpg

Equilibrioception cont.

• The vestibular system detects speed.• Visual system and proprioception help

balance, to know where you are, and how are you standing, running, walking, etc.

• Example- standing on one foot with your eyes closed vs. opening your eyes and standing on one foot.

Disfunctions…• When balance is interrupted, it may cause dizziness (vertigo),

disorientation, or nausea. • Could be upset by Meniere’s disease, superior (lateral) canal

dihlscence syndrome, inner ear infection, or a bad common cold• Rapid, vigorous, movements like a merry-go-round can upset

balance• Astronauts find balance impaired when orbiting due to

weightlessness. It is a form of motion sickness called space adaption syndrome

http://resourcesonbalance.com/patient_into/impages/8.jpg

Balance and animals• Cats have a better sense of

equilibrioception. • They uses their inner ear and tail.

• Marine animals use an entirely different organ called the statocyst. It detects which way is up by the position of the tiny calcareous stones

Worldofstock.com/slides/WAW20740.jpg Dkimages.com/disconver/previews/1014/50216758.jpg

Work Cited

• http://ea.grolier.com/cgi-bin/article?assetid=0031050-00

• http://oldsite.vislab.usyd.edu.au/projects/balance/index.html

• Shumway-Cook A, Anson D, Haller S. "Postural sway biofeedback: its effect on reestablishing stance stability in hemiplegic patients," Arch. Phys. Med. Rehabil. 1988, vol. 69, pp. 395-400.