The macula in the utricle detects:

a. rotation of the head to the right.

b. very low-frequency sound waves that we can feel but not hear.

c. tilting of the head to one side.

d. linear acceleration of the head in a vertical plane.

Video transcript

Hey everyone. Let's take a look at this question together. What structure is more sensitive to acceleration in the vertical plane than in the horizontal plane? Is it answer choice A the macula in the utricle answer choice B finestra vestibular answer choice C Reiser's membrane or answer choice D macula in the saccule. Let's work this problem out together to try to figure out which of the following answer choices is the name for the structure that is more sensitive to acceleration in the vertical plane rather than in the horizontal plane. So in order to solve this question, we have to recall what we have learned about the structures that are involved in acceleration of the vertical plane and the horizontal plane to determine which of the following is the structure more sensible to acceleration in the vertical plane than in the horizontal plane. And we can recall that the system in the body that is responsible for detecting acceleration is the vestibular system in the inner ear. And the vestibular system contains the macula in the saccule and the macula in the utricle. And we know that the macula in the saccule is the structure in the vestibular system of the inner ear that is responsible for detecting vertical acceleration. And the macula in the utricle is responsible for determining acceleration in the horizontal plane. So the structure that is more sensitive to acceleration in the vertical plane rather than in the horizontal plane is answer choice D the macula in the saccule and all other answer choices are incorrect. I hope you found this video to be helpful. Thank you and goodbye.