The terms refer to parts of the inner ear involved in balance and spatial orientation.
- Lateral semicircular canal: one of the three semicircular canals; it detects head rotation around a vertical axis (yaw). It is the shortest canal and lies roughly in a horizontal plane, oriented laterally and backward. Its size is typically about 12–15 mm in length.
- Semicircular canal: a group of three interconnected, loop-shaped structures (lateral/horizontal, anterior/superior, and posterior) that sense rotational movements of the head by detecting angular acceleration via fluid movement within their ducts. They work in pairs and contribute to the sense of balance.
- Canal (in this context): the term “canal” here refers to any of the semicircular canals in the inner ear, which are part of the vestibular system that helps regulate balance and gaze stabilization during head movement.
If you’d like, I can provide a concise diagram-friendly description or a quick comparison of the three canals (lateral, anterior, posterior) including their planes of movement, typical dimensions, and roles in vestibular function.
