Static balance is maintained by

Options

A. Maculae
B. Cristae
C. Organ of Corti
D. Reissner's membrane.

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Static Balance**: Static balance refers to the ability to maintain the body's position when stationary. It is crucial for activities such as standing still or maintaining posture.

2. **Role of the Inner Ear**: The inner ear plays a significant role in maintaining balance. It contains structures that are responsible for both hearing and balance.

3. **Identifying Key Structures**: Within the inner ear, the cochlea is primarily responsible for hearing, while the vestibular apparatus is responsible for balance. The vestibular apparatus includes semicircular canals, utricle, and saccule.

4. **Semicircular Canals**: The semicircular canals are involved in dynamic equilibrium, which relates to balance during movement. They contain structures called ampullae and cristae that detect changes in motion.

5. **Macula's Function**: The macula, located in the utricle and saccule of the vestibular apparatus, is specifically responsible for static equilibrium. It detects the position of the head relative to gravity and helps maintain balance when the body is not in motion.

6. **Nerve Impulses**: The vestibular branch of the cochlear nerve carries impulses from the macula to the cerebellum, which processes this information and helps maintain body balance.

7. **Conclusion**: Therefore, the structure responsible for maintaining static balance is the macula, which is located in the utricle and saccule of the vestibular apparatus.

**Final Answer**: Static balance is maintained by the macula.

---