- Vestibular neuronitis
- Inflammation of the vestibular nerve, the nerve running to the vestibule. (The vestibule is in the inner ear. Like an internal carpenter’s level, it and the semicircular canals work with the brain to sense, maintain, and regain balance and a sense of where the body and its parts are positioned in space.) Vestibular neuronitis is a paroxysmal attack of severe vertigo (dizziness) which is not accompanied by deafness or tinnitus (ringing in the ear). It affects young to middle-aged adults and often follows a nonspecific upper respiratory infection.
* * *
vestibular neuronitis n a disorder of uncertain etiology that is characterized by transitory attacks of severe vertigo* * *
a disturbance of vestibular function consisting of a single attack of severe vertigo, usually accompanied by nausea and vomiting but without auditory symptoms; it attacks mainly young to middle-aged adults and usually improves within a few days. Called also endemic paralytic vertigo, epidemic vertigo, paralytic vertigo, and vestibular neuritis.
Medical dictionary. 2011.