The vestibule is located between the cochlea and the semicircular canal of the inner ear and is slightly oval in shape. The vestibular system plays a vital role in maintaining the body’s balance. The maintenance of body balance is accomplished by the combined action of the vestibular system, the visual system and the proprioceptive system. The vestibular receptors include the 3 hemiretinae, the ellipsoidal sac and the balloon. Patients with vestibular dysfunction, for example, often feel unstable in dark environments, or when walking with their eyes closed.
The main purpose of vestibular function examination is to understand the status of vestibular function and to provide an important basis for localization and diagnosis. There are many methods of vestibular function examination, including balance and coordination of the vestibule, and oculomotor examination. The balance and coordination function examination can be divided into two categories: static balance and dynamic balance function examination, as well as limb test and coordination function examination. Static balance function examination methods include: upright examination with eyes closed, Mann test method and static posture tracing method; the first two are subjective judgments. Dynamic balance function examination methods include: star-shaped footprint walking test, dynamic posture tracing method. Oculomotor examination method, mainly through the observation of eye movements to detect the vestibular eye reflex pathway, optic eye reflex pathway and the functional state of the optic vestibular connection.
Vestibular function examination, besides being related to otologic diseases, is also closely related to neurology, surgery, ophthalmology, internal medicine and traumatology.