Vestibule of the ear

"Vestibulum" and "vestibule" redirect here. For other uses, see Vestibule (disambiguation).

Vestibule of the ear
Chain of ossicles and their ligaments, seen from the front in a vertical, transverse section of the tympanum. (Vestibule visible at center right.)
Posterior Canal Superior Canal Utricle Horizontal Canal Vestibule Cochlea Saccule
Latin	vestibulum labyrinthi, vestibulum auris
Gray's	subject #232 1047

Definition

The vestibule is the central part of the osseous labyrinth, and is situated medial to the tympanic cavity, behind the cochlea, and in front of the semicircular canals.

The etymology comes from the Latin vestibulum, literally an entrance hall.

Anatomical characteristics

It is somewhat ovoid in shape, but flattened transversely; it measures about 5 mm from before backward, the same from above downward, and about 3 mm across.

In its lateral or tympanic wall is the oval window (fenestra vestibuli), closed, in the fresh state, by the base of the stapes and annular ligament.

On its medial wall, at the forepart, is a small circular depression, the recessus sphæricus, which is perforated, at its anterior and inferior part, by several minute holes (macula cribrosa media) for the passage of filaments of the acoustic nerve to the saccule; and behind this depression is an oblique ridge, the crista vestibuli, the anterior end of which is named the pyramid of the vestibule.

This ridge bifurcates below to enclose a small depression, the fossa cochlearis, which is perforated by a number of holes for the passage of filaments of the acoustic nerve which supply the vestibular end of the ductus cochlearis.

As the hinder part of the medial wall is the orifice of the aquæductus vestibuli, which extends to the posterior surface of the petrous portion of the temporal bone.

It transmits a small vein, and contains a tubular prolongation of the membranous labyrinth, the ductus endolymphaticus, which ends in a cul-de-sac between the layers of the dura mater within the cranial cavity.

On the upper wall or roof is a transversely oval depression, the recessus ellipticus, separated from the recessus sphæricus by the crista vestibuli already mentioned.

The pyramid and adjoining part of the recessus ellipticus are perforated by a number of holes (macula cribosa superior).

The apertures in the pyramid transmit the nerves to the utricle; those in the recessus ellipticus are the nerves to the ampullæ of the superior and lateral semicircular ducts.

Behind, the five orifices of the semicircular canals can be found.

There is, in the frontal view, an elliptical opening, which communicates with the scala vestibuli of the cochlea.

Additional images

• 

  Right osseous labyrinth (lateral view).

• 

  The cochlea and vestibule (view from above).

External links

• Vestibule at eMedicine Dictionary

See also

• Inner ear

This article was originally based on an entry from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy. As such, some of the information contained within it may be outdated.

This anatomy article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.v · Categories: Anatomy stubs Ear Wikimedia Foundation. 2010. Игры ⚽ Поможем сделать НИР Big Bend Ranch State Park Cello Concerto (Sullivan) Look at other dictionaries: Vestibule of the ear — Vestibule Ves ti*bule, n. [L. vestibulum, of uncertain origin: cf. F. vestibule.] The porch or entrance into a house; a hall or antechamber next the entrance; a lobby; a porch; a hall. [1913 Webster] {Vestibule of the ear}. (Anat.) See under… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English vestibule of the ear — noun the central cavity of the bony labyrinth of the ear • Hypernyms: ↑vestibule • Part Holonyms: ↑ear …   Useful english dictionary Vestibule of the ear — A cavity in the middle of the bony labyrinth in the inner ear …   Medical dictionary Vestibule of the vulva — Vestibule Ves ti*bule, n. [L. vestibulum, of uncertain origin: cf. F. vestibule.] The porch or entrance into a house; a hall or antechamber next the entrance; a lobby; a porch; a hall. [1913 Webster] {Vestibule of the ear}. (Anat.) See under… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English Vestibule — Ves ti*bule, n. [L. vestibulum, of uncertain origin: cf. F. vestibule.] The porch or entrance into a house; a hall or antechamber next the entrance; a lobby; a porch; a hall. [1913 Webster] {Vestibule of the ear}. (Anat.) See under {Ear}.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English Vestibule train — Vestibule Ves ti*bule, n. [L. vestibulum, of uncertain origin: cf. F. vestibule.] The porch or entrance into a house; a hall or antechamber next the entrance; a lobby; a porch; a hall. [1913 Webster] {Vestibule of the ear}. (Anat.) See under… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English Vestibule — or Vestibulum can have the following meanings, each primarily based upon a common origin, from early 17th century French, derived from Latin vestibulum, i n. entrance court .AnatomyIn general, vestibule is a small space or cavity at the beginning …   Wikipedia Vestibule — In medicine and dentistry, a vestibule is a space or cavity at the entrance to a canal, channel, tube, vessel. In ancient Rome, the “vestibulum” was an entrance or enclosed porch leading into the house. * * * 1. A small cavity or a space at the… …   Medical dictionary vestibule — /ˈvɛstəbjul / (say vestuhbyoohl) noun 1. a passage, hall, or antechamber between the outer door and the interior parts of a house or building. 2. Anatomy, Zoology any of various cavities or hollows regarded as forming an approach or entrance to… …   vestibule — n. (in anatomy) a cavity situated at the entrance to a hollow part. The vestibule of the ear is the cavity of the bony labyrinth that contains the saccule and utricle – the organs of equilibrium …   The new mediacal dictionary 18+ © Academic, 2000-2024 Contact us: Technical Support, Advertising Dictionaries export, created on PHP, Joomla, Drupal, WordPress, MODx. Mark and share Search through all dictionaries Translate… Search Internet Share the article and excerpts Direct link … Do a right-click on the link above and select “Copy Link”