When Lindsay spins in circles, the fluid in her ear's semicircular canals moves, stimulating the hair cells and sending messages about the movement to her brain. If she spins long enough and stops abruptly enough, the fluid will continue to move, creating the confusing sensation of dizziness. This is probably particularly disconcerting for Lindsay, because her sense of _________________ says that her body is still, but her ________________ sense says she is still moving.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The correct answer is kinesthesis and vestibular. Kinesthesis (or proprioception) refers to the sense of the position and movement of body parts, while the vestibular sense is related to balance and spatial orientation, provided by the inner ear. When Lindsay spins and stops, her kinesthetic sense tells her she is still, but her vestibular sense, influenced by the moving fluid in her semicircular canals, tells her she is moving, causing dizziness.

When Lindsay Spins in Circles, the Fluid in Her Ear's