Which structures provide information about the body's position in space with movement from the ear?

The utricle and saccule are structures found within the inner ear that are crucial for the sense of balance and spatial orientation. They are part of the vestibular system and specifically respond to changes in head position and linear acceleration.

The utricle is oriented horizontally, making it sensitive to movements such as tilting the head side to side or forward and backward. On the other hand, the saccule is vertically oriented and detects vertical movements, such as when one is moving up or down.

These two structures contain specialized sensory cells that respond to gravitational forces and the movement of fluid within them. This information is transmitted to the brain to help maintain balance and coordinate the body's position in space, particularly during movement.

The other structures mentioned in the choices serve different functions. The cochlea is involved in hearing, as it converts sound vibrations into neural signals. The semicircular canals detect rotational movements of the head, helping with balance, but the specific information about linear movements and gravity is primarily provided by the utricle and saccule. The auditory canal and tympanic membrane are part of the hearing apparatus, while the pinna and auditory nerve pathways relate more to sound perception than spatial orientation.