Special senses: otolith organs: practice question

A Physiology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Physiology · Special senses: otolith organs

Sample item

A passenger in a lift feels heavier at the moment the lift starts moving upward. Which receptor organ mainly detects this vertical linear acceleration?

AThe organ of CortiBThe anterior semicircular canalCThe saccule, whose macula lies in a vertical planeDThe utricle, whose macula lies in a vertical plane

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. The saccule, whose macula lies in a vertical plane

The otolith organs, utricle and saccule, detect linear acceleration and head position through otoliths bending the hair cells of the macula. The utricular macula is roughly horizontal and detects horizontal forces, whereas the saccular macula is roughly vertical and detects vertical acceleration. Semicircular canals respond to angular acceleration.

Option by option

A. The organ of Corti
The organ of Corti is the hearing receptor in the cochlea.
B. The anterior semicircular canal
Semicircular canals respond to rotation, not linear movement.
C. The saccule, whose macula lies in a vertical plane (correct)
Correct. The vertical saccular macula detects vertical linear movement.
D. The utricle, whose macula lies in a vertical plane
The utricular macula is roughly horizontal, so it detects horizontal acceleration.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

Questions about this Physiology question

What is the answer to this Physiology question?

The best answer is C, The saccule, whose macula lies in a vertical plane. The otolith organs, utricle and saccule, detect linear acceleration and head position through otoliths bending the hair cells of the macula.

Why is "The organ of Corti" not the answer?

The organ of Corti is the hearing receptor in the cochlea.

Why is "The anterior semicircular canal" not the answer?

Semicircular canals respond to rotation, not linear movement.

Why is "The utricle, whose macula lies in a vertical plane" not the answer?

The utricular macula is roughly horizontal, so it detects horizontal acceleration.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Special senses: otolith organs in Physiology. The utricular macula is roughly horizontal and detects horizontal forces, whereas the saccular macula is roughly vertical and detects vertical acceleration. Semicircular canals respond to angular acceleration.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Special senses: otolith organs?

For each system, sketch the key graph (pressure–volume loop, oxygen dissociation curve, nephron handling) and explain it aloud. Then use the flashcards and the other Physiology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.