Topic: vestibular epithelia

The sense of orientation in space is crucial for survival and navigation in the environment. The brain derives spatial orientation from (1) self-motion signals originating in the vestibular system of the inner ear and (2) visual signals encoding orientation relative to external landmarks. Previous studies in animal models have shown that spatial orientation is compromised after vestibular lesions, but the relationship between partial lesions and the degree of functional impairment has not been established.In the present study, navigation and spatial orientation capacities were tested in a modi

Vestibular schwannomas (VS) are a type of tumour which arises from Schwann cells in the vestibulocochlear nerve. Common symptoms in VS patients include hearing loss, tinnitus and vestibular function alterations. One hypothesis for these vestibular functional losses is that tumour secretions may damage the vestibular epithelia. Although benign, these tumours pose a danger to eloquent brainstem structures and excision through a trans-labyrinthine approach may be necessary. This presents an opportunity to examine the histologic state of VS patients' vestibular epithelia and relate it to their ves