Spatial disorientation is the inability to determine position or relative motion, commonly occurring during periods of challenging visibility, since vision is the dominant sense for orientation. The auditory system, vestibular system, and proprioceptive system collectively work to coordinate movement with balance, and can also create illusory nonvisual sensations, resulting in spatial disorientation in the absence of strong visual cues.
Equilibrium test being administered to prospective pilot, via Bárány chair
Inner ear with semicircular canals shown, likening them to the roll, pitch and yaw axis of an aircraft
Proprioception is the sense of self-movement, force, and body position.
Schematics and images of limb proprioceptors in mammals (top) and insects (bottom)[clarification needed]