Final answer:
Otoliths are calcium carbonate crystals located on top of the otolithic membrane in the inner ear. They provide transient information about the position of the head.
Step-by-step explanation:
Otoliths are composed of calcium carbonate crystals and are located on top of the otolithic membrane in the utricle and saccule of the inner ear. The otolithic membrane moves separately from the macula in response to head movements. Tilting the head causes the otolithic membrane to slide over the macula in the direction of gravity, which in turn bends the stereocilia of hair cells. The information provided by otoliths is transient, as it helps the brain interpret the exact position of the head based on the pattern of hair-cell depolarization.