Small elevations within each ampulla are known as what?

The small elevations within each ampulla are referred to as cristae. Each ampulla is a dilated portion of the semicircular canals in the inner ear, which is part of the vestibular system responsible for sensing balance and spatial orientation. The crista, located within the ampulla, is a sensory structure that contains hair cells covered by a gelatinous structure called the cupula. The movement of the endolymph in response to changes in head position causes the cupula to deflect, thereby stimulating the hair cells and providing the brain with information regarding balance and movement. This process is critical for maintaining equilibrium.

The other terms listed relate to different structures within the vestibular and auditory systems. The cupula is the gelatinous cap overlying the crista. The macula refers to the sensory structure found in the utricle and saccule, which detects linear acceleration and head position relative to gravity. The vestibule itself is the central cavity of the inner ear that houses both the utricle and saccule, but it does not refer to the small elevations found specifically within the ampulla.