spatial orientation
gravity
a form of acceleration
visual- vestibular
a part of sensory integration
angular motion
can be sensed when rotating head from side to side as if to say "no"
qualities of spatial orientation
direction and amplitude
tilt
head orientation with respect to gravity (most motions involve a combination. can be sensed when nodding head up and down as if to say "yes"
modalities of spatial orientation
our senses of linear motion, angular motion, and tilt
x-axis
points forward and backward (positive is forward ie: in the facing direction)
y-axis
points laterally (positive is out of the ear) nodding head no.
z-axis
points vertically (positive is out of the top of the head) nodding head yes.
roll
rotation around x-axis. out of the nose "idk"
pitch
rotation around y-axis. from the ears "nodding yes"
yaw
rotation around z-axis. "nodding no"
linear motion
sensed when the head accelerates or decelerates in a line.
acceleration and gravity
share a deep connection and can be considered equivalent.
meniere's syndrome
sudden experiences of dizziness, imbalance, and spatial disorientation. can cause sudden falling down, can cause repeated vomiting from severe motion sickness. the unpredictability of the attacks can be terrifying for those who suffer from it. possible treatments: medications, implanted devices, or sometimes removal of the vestibular apparatus itself
mal de debarquement syndrome
swaying, rocking, or tilting perceptions felt after spending time on a boat or in the ocean. aftereffect of adapting to the rocking motion of the ocean. "getting your sea legs". usually goes away after a few hours, but some people experience it continuously, causing problems
direction
the line along which one faces or moves, with reference to the point or region toward which one is facing or moving
sensory integration
the process of combining different sensory signals. typically leads to more accurate information than can be obtained from individual senses alone
vestibular organs (vestibular labyrinth or vestibular system)
the set of five organs--three semicircular canals and two otolith organs- located in each inner ear that sense head motion and head orientation with respect to gravity
amplitude
the size (increase or decrease) of a head movement) ie: angular velocity, linear acceleration, tilt
acceleration
vestibular organs only respond to changes in velocity. amount of displacement