Final answer:
The two distinct parts of the labyrinth of the inner ear are the cochlea, which is responsible for hearing, and the vestibule, which includes the semicircular canals and is responsible for maintaining balance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The labyrinth of the inner ear contains two distinct parts: the cochlea and the vestibule. The cochlea is responsible for hearing. It is a spiral-shaped, fluid-filled structure that contains the sensory receptor cells or hair cells that transduce sound into neural signals. These neural signals from the cochlea are then relayed to the brain stem through the vestibulocochlear nerve.
The vestibule, on the other hand, is comprised of the utricle, saccule, and the three semicircular canals, and it plays a key role in balance and spatial orientation. The semicircular canals are fluid-filled structures that detect angular acceleration and deceleration due to movement, such as turning the head or driving around a corner. The neural signals from the vestibule are also relayed to the brain stem, allowing the body to maintain equilibrium.