[Campbell Biology P.1162] A patient reports experiencing sudden, severe vertigo and difficult... | Practice Question

A patient reports experiencing sudden, severe vertigo and difficulty maintaining balance, but their hearing remains unimpaired. Based on the functions of the inner ear structures, which part is most likely malfunctioning?

  • A: Semicircular canals
  • B: Cochlea
  • C: Tympanic membrane
  • D: Eustachian tube

Explanation

The semicircular canals are fluid-filled chambers within the inner ear specifically designed to detect head movements and maintain equilibrium balance . The cochlea, on the other hand, is dedicated to hearing. Therefore, a malfunction primarily affecting balance without impacting hearing strongly points to the semicircular canals.