2 3 Technical Tuesday Inner Ear and Balance | Ballet Webb

Tuesday, July 18, 2017

Technical Tuesday Inner Ear and Balance


Technical Tuesday Inner Ear and Balance

Your ears are used not only for hearing but for balance and the inner ear is a fascinating place. Inside, loop-shaped canals contain hair-like sensors, and fluid that help you keep your balance. A pretty critical thing for dancers! This portion of the ear responsible for balance is often referred to as the vestibular system.

This vestibular system consist of canals called the utricle and saccule, and each of these has hair cells. Inside these cells are tiny particles called otoconia that serve as a kind of monitoring supervisor that reacts to all changes in head position.Without this supervisor, dizziness would be a constant problem. 

Infections of the inner ear can and do cause balance issues, so if a dancer has sudden difficulty balancing or turning, an inner ear problem, like fluid in the ear may be to blame.

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets
Anatomical Secret #26t:
“The anatomy of the inner ear helps control balance.”

Link of the Day:

Quote of the Day:
“Success works as a cycle - growth and contraction, balancing and unbalancing - all while you're encountering hurdles that get higher and higher over time.”
Julien Smith, The Flinch

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