ACOUSTIC MACULA, DRAWING

Functionning of the macula.
The macula is the organ of the static equilibrium (position of the head) and participates to the dynamic equilibrium (recognition of the linear accelerations).
Located at the level of the inner ear, the macula is a thickening of the saccule and utricle inner walls (see. image 5606306). It is composed of hair cells (in orange), constituting the sensorial receptors, and of supporting cells (in pink). Each hair cell is possessed of 40 to 70 stereocilia (microvillosities) and of a single kinocilium, longer true cilium. The supporting cells secrete a gelatinous substance forming the otolithic membrane, in which embed the stereocilia and kinocilia. This membrane is covered with a layer of aragonite cristals (calcium carbonate), the otoliths (in grey). Each hair cell forms a synapse with a sensitive neuron (in yellow) and a motor neuron (in green) of the vestibular nerve, branch of the auditory nerve.
When the head is leaned forward (during the descent in the roller coaster, for example), the gravitational force makes the otolithic membrane and the otoliths slide forward, leading the stereocilia and kinocilia with them. This leads to a stimulation of the vestibular nerve.
See. the image 5606406 for the functionning of the macula ascending, the image 0229006 for the drawing of the macula alone.