Final answer:
The vestibule and semicircular canals are the main parts of the inner ear involved in sensing equilibrium, with the vestibule detecting head position and the semicircular canals detecting movement.
Step-by-step explanation:
The two main areas of the human inner ear that are involved with the sense of equilibrium are the vestibule and the semicircular canals. The vestibule is responsible for sensing head position through the utricle and saccule, while the semicircular canals detect head movement. These receptors send neural signals via the vestibulocochlear nerve to the brain stem and cerebellum to maintain balance and posture.
The inner ear's bony labyrinth houses the cochlea, responsible for hearing, and the vestibule, crucial for balance. Damage to these interconnected systems can lead to issues with both hearing and balance, as the vestibular and cochlear nuclei in the brain stem receive these signals closely adjacent to each other.