Posterior semicircular canal

Posterior semicircular canal
Interior of right osseous labyrinth.
Posterior Canal Superior Canal Utricle Horizontal Canal Vestibule Cochlea Saccule
Latin	canalis semicircularis posterior
Gray's	subject #232 1049
Artery	stylomastoid artery
MeSH	Semicircular+Canals

The posterior semicircular canal is a part of the vestibular system and detects rotations of the head in the sagittal plane.

Structure

It is directed superiorly, as per its nomenclature, and posteriorly, nearly parallel to the posterior surface of the petrous bone. The vestibular canaliculus is immediately medial to it.

It is part of the bony labyrinth and is used by the vestibular system to detect rotations of the head in the sagittal plane.

It is the longest of the three canals, measuring from 18 to 22 mm.

Its lower or ampullated end opens into the lower and back part of the vestibule, its upper into the crus commune.

See also

• Semicircular canal

Additional images

• 

  The cochlea and vestibule, viewed from above.

This article was originally based on an entry from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy. As such, some of the information contained within it may be outdated.

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