With the head held upright, which otolithic organ has its macula oriented approximately in the horizontal plane, allowing it to signal linear acceleration and head tilt in that plane?
- A Macula of the saccule
- B Macula of the utricle ✓
- C Crista of the lateral semicircular duct
- D Crista of the superior semicircular duct
Correct answer: B. Macula of the utricle
Explanation
When the head is upright, the macula of the utricle lies in the horizontal plane on the floor of the utricle, while the saccular macula is vertical on the medial wall of the saccule. Together they detect linear acceleration and static head tilt relative to gravity via otoconial displacement of the gelatinous layer. Cristae respond to angular acceleration, not linear forces, eliminating options C and D.
Reference: Ganong Review of Medical Physiology, 26th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.