The semicircular canals, or ducts, are composed of three inter-connected tubes in the inner ear, i.e., horizontal, superior and posterior canals. These canals are lined with microscopic hairs called cilia, and filled with a fluid called endolymph. They act as a motion sensor to communicate movement to the brain, and act to keep the body balanced.
2. Below the nose
Answer: philtrum
Below the nose and above the lip you will find a vertical groove or 'medial cleft', known as a philtrum. It is the junction where the parts of the face merge. If the philtrum, aka "Cupid's bow", does not develop properly in the womb, a cleft lip or cleft palate results.
3. Jaw
Answer: mandible
Another name for the mandible is the jawbone; in mammals, it is the lower jawbone. The mandible is the largest and strongest bone in the face, helping to keep the lower teeth in place. Along with the maxilla or upper jaw bone, it forms the structure of the mouth.
4. Knee
Answer: patella
The patella is a thick, "circular-triangular" bone, also called the kneecap. It connects to the femur or thigh bone in the leg, and helps to protect the surface of the knee joint. It is the largest sesamoid bone in the body. A sesamoid bone is one which is "embedded within a tendon or muscle".
5. Brain
Answer: amygdala
Within each cerebral hemisphere in the brain is the amygdala. The amygdala consists of almond-shaped groups of neurons, located in the temporal lobes, at the end of the hippocampus. Part of the limbic system, the amygdala is responsible for helping to regulate emotional behavior, e.g, fear.
6. Big toe
Answer: hallux
The hallux is the first or innermost digit on the foot, in other word. the big toe. Unlike the other toes, the hallux only contains two phalanx bones, i.e, proximal and distal. A deformity in the big toe, hallux valgus, one of the most common foot problems, is also known as a bunion.
7. Mouth
Answer: parotid glands
Moving back up to the mouth, the parotid glands are salivary glands. There are two parotid glands, situated on either side of the mouth. Did you know that these glands produce up to a quart of saliva every day? The glands function in the digestive system, aiding in chewing, swallowing and the digestion of starches.
8. Chest
Answer: sternum
The sternum is also known as the breastbone. It is a long, narrow bone located in the front of the chest, and is the linchpin of the rib cage, acting to stabilize the thoracic skeleton. Not only does the sternum protect vital organs like the heart, it also connects with muscles that move the arms, head and neck.
9. Collar
Answer: clavicle
The clavicle is also called the collarbone. It is a long, curved bone which lies horizontally, and acts as a connection between the scapula or shoulder blade and the sternum or breastbone. There are clavicle bones on either side of the body, allowing the arms to hang freely.
10. Forearm
Answer: radius
The radius (no circle here) or radial bone, can be found on either side of the body in the forearms. It is a long, prism-shaped bone which extends from the elbow to the wrist, and parallel to the ulna, i.e., the other bone in the arm. The radius rotates in order to allow the hand to move at the wrist.
This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor rossian before going online.
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