Hair Cells

The hair cell of the macula has its sensory hairs embedded in a gel (otolithic membrane) containing concretions of Ca²⁺ carbonate (otoliths) that "falls" with gravity or "lags" with linear acceleration.

The Hair cell of the crista ampullaris has its hairs embedded in gel (the cupula) that swings both wayslike a screeen door. When the head turns, it moves with respect to the lagging fluid in the semicircular canal. The fluid resistance "swings" the cupula.