Movement of fluid in the semicircular canals will cause the cupula to displace and bend the stereocilia to create an action potential.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This is the correct mechanism by which the semicircular canals in the inner ear detect rotational movement and generate signals to the brain. The cupula, which is a gel-like structure containing hair cells, will move in response to fluid displacement within the canals. This movement will bend the stereocilia on the hair cells, which will generate an action potential and send signals to the brain via the vestibulocochlear nerve.

Movement of Fluid in the Semicircular Canals Will Cause the Cupula