Macula of utricle

The portion of the utricle which is lodged in the recess forms a sort of pouch or cul-de-sac, the floor and anterior wall of which are thickened, and form the macula of utricle (or utricular macula), which receives the utricular filaments of the vestibulocochlear nerve. The macula of utricle allows a person to perceive changes in longitudinal acceleration (in horizontal directions only).

The macula of the utricle is in a horizontal position and detects horizontal acceleration. The coordinated sensory perception of acceleration both vertically and horizontally along the vestibular nerve, allow for the perception of linear acceleration in any direction.