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Vestibular system
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<p>The vestibular system, in <a href="/facts/Vertebrate/tT54FSTT">vertebrates</a>, is a <a href="/facts/Sensory_system/05dM9sTQ">sensory system</a> that creates the <a href="/facts/Sense_of_balance/U1JQfwoN">sense of balance</a> and <a href="/facts/Spatial_orientation/Tj24mTJ8">spatial orientation</a> for the purpose of coordinating <a href="/facts/Motor_coordination/rVJbx4mX">movement</a> with balance. Together with the <a href="/facts/Cochlea/J2ozV2sP">cochlea</a>, a part of the <a href="/facts/Auditory_system/fJYTKjje">auditory system</a>, it constitutes the <a href="/facts/Labyrinth_of_the_inner_ear/rpxdngm7">labyrinth of the inner ear</a> in most <a href="/facts/Mammal/phSwTzBo">mammals</a>. </p><p>As movements consist of rotations and translations, the vestibular system comprises two components: the <a href="/facts/Semicircular_canals/1eyJhvj1">semicircular canals</a>, which indicate <a href="/facts/Angular_acceleration/jDv9uzAS">rotational movements</a>; and the <a href="/facts/Otolith/PJAmmxlw">otoliths</a>, which indicate <a href="/facts/Acceleration/UVDmjYvR">linear accelerations</a>. The vestibular system sends signals primarily to the neural structures that control <a href="/facts/Eye_movement/4a9mNbP5">eye movement</a>; these provide the anatomical basis of the <a href="/facts/Vestibulo-ocular_reflex/2HKccerx">vestibulo-ocular reflex</a>, which is required for clear vision. Signals are also sent to the muscles that keep an animal upright and in general control <a href="/facts/Neutral_spine/lJGFJ7Nj">posture</a>; these provide the anatomical means required to enable an animal to maintain its desired position in space. </p><p>The brain uses information from the vestibular system in the head, and from <a href="/facts/Proprioception/Ik79bA2x">proprioception</a> throughout the body to enable an understanding of the body's <a href="/facts/Dynamics_(mechanics)/JLk81H71">dynamics</a> and <a href="/facts/Kinematics/o7mSyeJA">kinematics</a> (including its position and acceleration) from moment to moment. How these two perceptive sources are integrated to provide the underlying structure of the <a href="/facts/Sensorium/rSqSL3Bm">sensorium</a> is unknown. </p>