<P> The utricle , or utriculus ( Latin : utriculus , diminutive of uter , meaning `` leather bag '' ) , along with the saccule , is one of the two otolith organs located in the vertebrate inner ear . The utricle and the saccule are parts of the balancing apparatus ( membranous labyrinth ) located within the vestibule of the bony labyrinth ( small oval chamber ) . These use small stones and a viscous fluid to stimulate hair cells to detect motion and orientation . The utricle detects linear accelerations and head - tilts in the horizontal plane . </P>
<P> The utricle , or utriculus ( Latin : utriculus , diminutive of uter , meaning `` leather bag '' ) , along with the saccule , is one of the two otolith organs located in the vertebrate inner ear . The utricle and the saccule are parts of the balancing apparatus ( membranous labyrinth ) located within the vestibule of the bony labyrinth ( small oval chamber ) . These use small stones and a viscous fluid to stimulate hair cells to detect motion and orientation . The utricle detects linear accelerations and head - tilts in the horizontal plane . </P>
the major function of the utricle and saccule in the vestibule is
the major function of the utricle and saccule in the vestibule is
to detect motion and orientation
to detect motion and orientation