Peripheral Vestibular Disorders 

• Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): Dislodged otoconia in the semicircular canals.

• Ménière’s Disease: Excess fluid in the inner ear affecting hearing and balance. 

• Vestibular Neuritis/Labyrinthitis: Viral infections causing inflammation of the vestibular nerve or labyrinth. 

• Otosclerosis: Abnormal bone growth in the middle ear. 

• Perilymphatic Fistula: Leakage of inner ear fluid into the middle ear. 

Central Vestibular Disorders 

• Vestibular Migraines 

• Multiple Sclerosis 

• Stroke affecting brainstem or cerebellum 

• Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD) 

The vestibular system is composed of: 

• Inner Ear Structures: Semicircular canals, utricle, and saccule detect head movements and position. 

• Vestibular Nerve: Transmits signals to the brain. 

• Brainstem and Cerebellum: Integrate vestibular input with visual and proprioceptive data. 

Physiologically, balance is maintained through a triad: 

1. Vestibular Input: Detects motion and spatial orientation. 

2. Visual Input: Provides environmental data.  

3. Somatosensory Input: Feedback from muscles and joints. 

Disruption in any of these three systems can lead to sensory mismatches and symptoms.