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as they roll, the gel moves and tugs on the hair cells, exciting them. besides the equilibrium receptors of the inner ear, the senses of _______ and _____ are also important in helping to maintain equilibrium.

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Final answer:

Equilibrium is maintained with the help of the inner ear's vestibular system, vision, and proprioception, which together provide the brain with information about body orientation and movement, ensuring balance.

Step-by-step explanation:

Besides the equilibrium receptors of the inner ear, the senses of vision and proprioception are also important in helping to maintain equilibrium.

Equilibrium is the body’s ability to maintain balance. The inner ear plays a crucial role in this process via the vestibular system, which includes the utricle, the saccule, and three semicircular canals. These structures sense head position, head movement, and gravitational forces through hair cells with stereocilia.

However, the senses of vision and proprioception are also integral to equilibrium. Vision provides visual cues about the body’s orientation in space, while proprioception, the sense of self-movement, and body position help the brain to understand where body parts are in relation to one another.

The coordination of sensory information from the visual system, vestibular system, and proprioceptive input allows the brain to keep the body balanced. When this sensory information is disrupted, such as during an inner ear infection, individuals can experience dizziness or balance difficulties.

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