bony semicircular canals

The bony semicircular canals allow estimates of duct arc length and orientation with respect to the sagittal plane.

The bony semicircular canals are three in number, superior, posterior, and lateral, and are situated above and behind the vestibule.

Because good balance is critical for bipeds, the researchers decided to examine the fossil record to determine whether clues to human evolution could be found in the bony semicircular canals preserved in the skulls of early hominids.