Vertigo often presents as dizziness, which can have many causes. In this discussion, we will examine causes and their related anatomy and physiology. Within the article, The Treatment and Natural Course of Peripheral and Central Vertigo, select one type of vertigo to read about. Focus on the anatomy and physiology, as opposed to the treatments.
Initial post: In your initial post, describe the type of vertigo you chose to read about and explain the related anatomy and physiology. Be sure to cite the required resources to support your descriptions.
Reply post: Respond to a peer by adding detail to their post on how anatomical knowledge helps medical providers diagnose the type of vertigo your peer chose to discuss. How can you apply the concepts you’ve learned about the physiology of equilibrium to better understand this type of vertigo? How can various tests be used to pinpoint the type of vertigo a patient experiencing?
Full Answer Section
Anatomy:
- Inner ear:The inner ear houses the semicircular canals, three fluid-filled tubes responsible for sensing head rotations. Each canal detects movement in a specific plane (horizontal, vertical, or anterior-posterior).
- Otoconia:Within the inner ear, the utricle and saccule contain microscopic crystals called otoconia. These crystals, composed of calcium carbonate, sit on a gelatinous membrane and help detect head tilt and linear acceleration.
Physiology:
- Head movement:During head movement, the fluid in the semicircular canals sloshes, stimulating hair cells lining the canals. These hair cells send signals to the brain about head rotation.
- Otolith function:When the head tilts, the otoconia exert pressure on the underlying membrane in the utricle and saccule, sending signals to the brain about head position.
- BPPV malfunction:In BPPV, otoconia become dislodged from their original location in the utricle and migrate into the semicircular canals. When the head moves in certain positions, the displaced otoconia exert inappropriate pressure on the canal's hair cells, sending incorrect signals to the brain, resulting in the perception of vertigo.
Source: Viano, L., Lopez, C., & Baloh, R. W. (2016). The treatment and natural course of peripheral and central vertigo. Cold Spring Harbor perspectives in medicine, 6(9), a024258. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24000301/
This understanding of BPPV's anatomy and physiology lays the foundation for further exploration of diagnosis and treatment options.
Sample Answer
Analyzing BPPV: Anatomy and Physiology
I have chosen to focus on Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), the most common type of peripheral vertigo, as described in "The Treatment and Natural Course of Peripheral and Central Vertigo" by Viano et al. (2016) [Source]. Let's delve into the related anatomy and physiology.