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