Page 164 - The Miracle of Electricity in the Body

162 THE MIRACLE OF ELECTRICITY IN THE BODY

nerves at the base of every hair produce electrochemical signals that
transfer information to the brain. Subsequently, it combines these sig-
nals—indicating the angle of the joints and contractions in the muscles—
to analyze movement in the body.
This system in the ear works together with receptors in the eyes,
neck, muscles and tendons. On its own, none of these is sufficient for a
person to remain on balance. When you look out the window of a sta-
tionary train and see another train pulling out, your eyes will provide in-
formation as if you were actually moving. However, other nerve recep-
tors in your body will report just the opposite and let you perceive your

How are you able to stand up against the continual pull of
gravity? How can you turn round quickly without falling over?
Organs in the inner ear help us maintain our balance by send-
ing information about the movement and position of our head
to the brain. Head movement causes the fluid in the canals to
move and the micro-hairs to bend, initiating messages that go
to the brain. The three channels are located perpendicular to
one another, so that they react to different movements. One is
very sensitive to vertical motion, one to sideways movements,
and the other to bending.