Vertigo: Senses That Help Your Balance and Position

Your brain uses the input from four sensory systems to help maintain balance and position in relation to your surroundings:

• Vision provides information about your position and motion in relationship to the rest of the world. This is an important part of the balance mechanism and often overrides information from the other balance-sensing systems.
• Sensory nerves in the joints allow the brain to keep track of the position of the legs, arms, and trunk. Your body is then automatically able to make tiny changes in posture that help maintain balance (proprioception).
• Skin pressure sensation provides information about position and motion in relationship to gravity.
• A portion of the inner ear, called the labyrinth, which includes the semicircular canals, contains specialized cells that detect motion and changes in position.

If there is a problem with any of the above systems, you will probably feel dizzy (unsteady) or have vertigo (spinning) or poor balance.

© 1995-2011, Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Reference Terms of Use. Reference How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.