Sisäkorvien

Sisäkorvien, the Finnish word for inner ear, refers to the innermost part of the vertebrate ear. It is responsible for both hearing and balance. The inner ear is located deep within the temporal bone of the skull.

In terms of hearing, the sisäkorvien contains the cochlea, a spiral-shaped cavity filled with fluid. Within the cochlea are tiny hair cells that, when vibrated by sound waves, convert these mechanical motions into electrical signals. These signals are then transmitted to the brain via the auditory nerve, where they are interpreted as sound.

For balance, the sisäkorvien houses the vestibular system. This system includes the semicircular canals and the otolith organs. The three semicircular canals are oriented at right angles to each other and detect rotational movements of the head. The otolith organs, the utricle and saccule, detect linear acceleration and the pull of gravity. Like the hair cells in the cochlea, specialized hair cells within the vestibular system generate signals that inform the brain about the body's position and movement, crucial for maintaining balance and spatial orientation.

Damage or dysfunction of the sisäkorvien can lead to various hearing impairments and balance disorders, such as vertigo and tinnitus.