Final answer:
The kinesthetic sense uses receptors in muscles and joints for the perception of motion and position, while the vestibular sense relies on inner ear structures to maintain balance and spatial orientation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Our kinesthetic sense gathers its primary information from muscles, joints, skin, and tendons, whereas our vestibular sense gathers its primary information from the utricle, saccule, and the three semicircular canals in the inner ear.
The kinesthetic system is involved in the detection of body movements and position through receptors that are sensitive to stretch and tension. This information, concerning posture and motion, is relayed to the brain via the spinal column, helping us perceive where our limbs are and how they are moving.
Conversely, the vestibular system is crucial for balance and spatial orientation. It is composed of fluid-filled organs located next to the cochlea in the inner ear. Hair cells within the vestibular organs are stimulated by head movements and changes in gravitational forces, sending signals to the brain through the vestibular nerve. This allows us to maintain our balance and posture, especially during motion.