Prominence of the Lateral Semicircular Canal

The prominence of the lateral semicircular canal (LPC) is one of the elements of the inner ear. It is located on the lateral wall of the middle ear and consists of two parts: medial and lateral.

The lateral semicircular canal (LSC) is one of three semicircular canals that are located in the pyramids of the temporal bones. It is responsible for the perception of head and body movements in the horizontal plane. The LSC consists of three parts: anterior, posterior and posterior.

The LSC prominence is part of the medial wall of the middle ear. It consists of bone tissue and has the shape of a cone. At the top of the ledge is a hole that leads to the LSC.

LSC lug features include:

  1. Providing communication between the middle ear and the LSC. This allows sound waves to be transmitted from the eardrum to the LSC, where they are processed and converted into electrical signals.
  2. Participation in the auditory feedback mechanism. When the sound wave reaches the ear, it causes fluid movement in the LSC. These movements are transmitted through canals to the cochlea, where they are converted into nerve impulses. These impulses are then transmitted back to the LPC, allowing the ear to adjust its hearing.
  3. Participation in balance. Due to the movement of fluid in the LSC, the LSC projection can transmit information about head and body movement to the cerebellum, which controls balance.
  4. Participation in the formation of sound. The protrusion of the LSC can also influence the production of sound that is perceived by the ear. For example, it can change the direction of sound, which can affect how it is perceived.

Overall, the LPC projection plays an important role in the functioning of the inner ear and the auditory system as a whole. It provides communication between the middle ear, LSC and cerebellum, and is also involved in sound production and balance.



The protrusion of the lateral semicircular canal (protrusion or pedicle of the Lateral Semicircular Canal, also known as the Lateral Semicircular Protrusion) is an oval-shaped undifferentiated structure in the loop of Edinger-Westphal that serves to orient objects. It is covered on the sides and bottom with cells of the organ of Corti. The lateral and medial semicircular projections transmit excitation from the semicircular canals (they, in turn, receive excitation from hair cells) to the neuronal elements of the medial longitudinal fasciculus. Located lateral to the basilar membrane. Determines the vertical direction (closer to the rear end, the Latin name is to orient the body). With its help, the brain can determine the position of the head in space, which is very important in the process of movement.

The lateral protrusion arises even before birth from a layer of embryonic cells around the semicircular ducts. During the formation of the head by the embryo, with the help of a certain receptor, which is located in the outer shell of the canal, structures are formed, and in time this happens earlier than in humans, which is why we can often observe it in frogs, which are our distant relatives.

The resulting structures begin to gradually grow together with the help of connective tissue, and all stages of their formation are completely completed in humans by 28 weeks of pregnancy. At the same time, the structure of the face also undergoes significant changes, as the shape of the ear canal changes to a sharp one, which will further form the external auditory canal.