Without our sense of balance, we would not be able to stand or walk upright, and would keep falling over. Deep inside the ear is a ball-shaped chamber with three loops (semi-circular canals) at right angles to each other. Inside these are tiny hairs and a special liquid. When we move our head, the liquid brushes against the tiny hairs, and they send messages to our brain. They tell us if we are leaning forwards, backwards, or even standing upside-down.

If you spin round and round, you may feel dizzy because the special liquid in your inner ear is whirling and stimulating the tiny hairs which in turn send confusing messages to your brain.

© 2005 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)