Central vertigo is described as arising from dysfunction in which component?

Central vertigo is described as arising from dysfunction in which component?

• A. Vestibular pathways
• B. Cerebellum
• C. Cochlea
• D. Olfactory bulb

Answer: (A)

Central vertigo arises when the brain’s processing of vestibular information is disrupted. The key area is the central vestibular pathways—the neural circuits that take signals from the inner ear up to the brainstem vestibular nuclei and onward to the cerebellum, thalamus, and cortex. When these pathways are damaged, vertigo occurs due to impaired integration of head motion and spatial orientation, often with neurologic signs like direction-changing nystagmus. The cerebellum participates in vestibular processing, but the root issue for central vertigo is dysfunction of these central vestibular pathways. The cochlea and olfactory bulb are separate systems (hearing and smell, respectively) and do not explain central vertigo.

Central vertigo arises when the brain’s processing of vestibular information is disrupted. The key area is the central vestibular pathways—the neural circuits that take signals from the inner ear up to the brainstem vestibular nuclei and onward to the cerebellum, thalamus, and cortex. When these pathways are damaged, vertigo occurs due to impaired integration of head motion and spatial orientation, often with neurologic signs like direction-changing nystagmus. The cerebellum participates in vestibular processing, but the root issue for central vertigo is dysfunction of these central vestibular pathways. The cochlea and olfactory bulb are separate systems (hearing and smell, respectively) and do not explain central vertigo.