Vestibulaarse

Vestibulaarse is the Estonian term associated with the vestibular system, the sensory system that detects head movement and position to support balance, posture, and stable vision. In medical contexts, the term corresponds to the English vestibular.

The vestibular apparatus resides in the inner ear and comprises two main components: the semicircular canals, which sense angular head motion, and the otolith organs (the utricle and saccule), which detect linear acceleration and head orientation relative to gravity. Signals from these structures travel through the vestibular nerve, part of the eighth cranial nerve, to brain regions such as the brainstem and cerebellum.

Functions of the vestibular system include maintaining balance and posture, providing spatial orientation, and stabilizing gaze during head movement via the vestibulo-ocular reflex. This reflex keeps images steady on the retina as the head moves, by coordinating eye movements with head motion. The vestibular system works together with visual and proprioceptive cues to support motor planning and navigation.

Disorders of the vestibular system can cause vertigo, dizziness, imbalance, and abnormal eye movements (nystagmus). Common conditions include benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), vestibular neuritis, and Ménière’s disease. Diagnosis typically involves clinical examination and testing such as the Dix-Hallpike maneuver, head impulse test, caloric testing, and video head impulse test (vHIT). Treatment may include vestibular rehabilitation therapy, canalith repositioning procedures (such as the Epley maneuver), medications for symptom control, and, in some cases, surgical options.