Canadian Medical Guide > Anatomy > Nervous System > Neurons > Neurons, Afferent > Hair Cells > Hair Cells, Vestibular Terms and Definitions

Hair Cells, Vestibular

Medical Definition:	Mechanoreceptors located in the acoustic maculae and the semicircular canals that mediate the sense of balance, movement, and head position. The vestibular hair cells are connected to accessory structures in such a way that movements of the head displace their stereocilia. This influences the membrane potential of the cells which relay information about movements via the vestibular part of the VESTIBULOCOCHLEAR NERVE to the brain stem.
Guide Notes:	mechanoreceptors in the ear; see note on HAIR CELLS
Previously Indexed:	Hair Cells (1980-1993),Mechanoreceptors (1977-1979)

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