What is the function of a statocyst?

Statocysts are found in cephalopods. They are extremely vital to the organisms. Statocysts enable cephalopods to keep their retina in alignment with gravity. The statocysts can be broken down into two parts: the macula and the crista. The macula indicates changes in gravity and linear acceleration. The crista indicates changes in the angular acceleration. If the statocysts are removed from the animals, they will no longer be able to swim and can only move in a haphazard way.