Aviation Physiology - Chapter 1 Section C

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from Aviation Physiology notes.

Aviation Physiology

The study of the performance and limitations of the body in the flight environment.

Vision

What you see.

Vestibular

What you sense in motion.

Somatosensory (Kinesthetic)

What you feel with your body: pressure, pain, vibration, temperature, and body movement.

Spatial Orientation

Determining position and movement in space using vision, vestibular input, and somatosensory cues.

Spatial Disorientation

Balance instability caused by conflict between central vision and peripheral vision.

Inversion Illusion

Abrupt change from climb to straight‑and‑level flight; sensation of tumbling backward.

Coriolis Illusion

Head movement during a long turn can cause a new axis of fluid motion in the ear, creating a false sense of attitude.

Elevator Illusion

Vertical acceleration or updrafts can make you feel nose‑down; prevent with instrument scanning.

False Horizon

Illusion from clouds or featureless terrain/night sky leading to misperception of the horizon.

Leans

Banked turn entered too slowly; brain thinks level; abrupt correction can feel like banking opposite direction.

Autokinesis

A stationary light in darkness appears to move; avoid fixation and use a normal scan.

Graveyard Spiral

Prolonged turn followed by leveling can feel like turning the opposite way; maintain scan.

Somatogravic Illusion

Acceleration makes you feel nose‑up; deceleration makes you feel nose‑down; avoid rapid accel/decel.

Vestibular System

Inner ear system with a vestibule and three semicircular canals filled with fluid that sense yaw, pitch, and roll.

Cupula

Gelatinous structure in the semicircular canals that moves with fluid and deflects hair cells.

Hair Cells

Sensory cells that stimulate the vestibular nerve, signaling motion to the brain.

Vestibular Nerve

Transmits vestibular impulses to the brain for interpretation of motion.

Ear Pain

Pain from pressure differences between the middle ear and ambient air; avoid flying with an ear infection; descend slowly and use pressure‑equalization techniques.

Valsalva Maneuver

Technique to equalize ear pressure by pinching the nose and gently blowing.

Decompression Sickness (DCS)

Formation or migration of bubbles in tissues; symptoms range from joint pain to paralysis and death; associated with scuba diving.

Supplemental Oxygen

Oxygen provided above certain altitudes: above 10,000 ft by day, 5,000 ft at night; FAR 91.211 requires at 12,500 ft.

Hypoxic Hypoxia

Inadequate oxygen supply due to altitude.

Hypemic Hypoxia

Inability of blood to carry oxygen (e.g., CO poisoning).

Stagnant Hypoxia

Inadequate circulation of oxygen.