How do I balance?

Our body balances through the help of multiple organs and the signals received by the brain. The balance of the body is maintained by continuous position detection, the signals received from the brain and its analysis, and the adjustment made by our body to be in a stable condition through communication from sensory organs such as the eyes and the inner ear, and the muscles, joints and brain.

Brain:

• The brain is the central controlling headquarters of the human body.
• There is a part called the cerebellum in the brain, located at the back of the head.
• The cerebellum connects the spine to the brain.
• The spine is a very important organ for our locomotion as it is the main organ responsible for the movement of the body.
• Cerebellum receives information from sensory organs and sends messages to muscles for any necessary change.

Inner Ear:

• The inner-most part of the ear is called the inner ear.
• One part of the inner ear helps in hearing, whereas the other part is responsible for sharing information regarding the head’s position to the brain.
• This part is called the vestibular system.

Vestibular system:

1. The vestibular system consists of three semicircular canals and two pockets.
2. The two pockets are named otolith organs.
3. All these organs together are responsible for the constant information about the head’s position to the brain.
4. Each semicircular part has a different orientation so as to detect different movements of the head.
5. The vestibular system also consists of a fluid present in the semicircular canal.
6. The movement of the fluid causes the stimulation of the tiny hairs present in it.
7. This stimulation of tiny hairs results in the passing of messages related to the position of the head to the brain via balance nerve or vestibule.

Sensory organs, muscles and joints:

• The vestibular system works together with our sensory organs for us to see clearly while walking and for the brain to know where we are walking so that it can send the required message to muscles for us to stand properly in a balance.
• The signals from the sensory organs and vestibular system are combined to further pass on messages to the joints and muscles by the brain to attain stability and to stand properly.

Fun Facts:

1. The smallest bone of the human body is present within the ear.
2. Newborn babies see everything upside down till the time brain learns to see it correctly.
3. The cerebellum is just about 10% of the whole brain despite its very crucial function in the human body.

Additional Questions:

1. Describe in detail the sensory organs.
2. Describe the different parts of the cerebellum.
3. Write down the complete list of nerves and their functions.

True or False:

1. Our body balances through just one organ.
2. The brain plays an important role in our body to balance.
3. The inner ear is the present inside the ear.
4. One part of the ear is responsible for hearing.
5. The vestibular system consists of three semicircular canals and two pockets.

Objective Quiz:

1. Our body balances itself through the help of ____________.
   1. Multiple organs.
   2. Single organ.
   3. Two organs.
   4. No organ is required.
2. __________ part of the brain is located at the backside of the brain.
   1. Cerebellum.
   2. Frontal Lobe.
   3. Eyes.
   4. All of the above.
3. __________ receives information from sensory organs.
   1. Cerebellum.
   2. Heart.
   3. Kidney.
   4. Lungs.
4. One part of the inner ear responsible for passing the message about the head’s movement to the brain is known as ___________.
   1. Vestibular system.
   2. Digestive system.
   3. Urinary system.
   4. Respiratory system.
5. Vestibular system consist of __________.
   1. Three semicircular canals and two pockets.
   2. Three semicircular canals and three pockets.
   3. Two semicircular canals and three pockets.
   4. Two semicircular canals and two pockets.