In which of the following scenarios would spatial disorientation be least affected?

Spatial disorientation primarily involves the body's ability to recognize its position and movement in space, and it is influenced by different sensory systems including vestibular, visual, and somatosensory inputs.

The organ of Corti is located within the cochlea of the inner ear and is responsible for auditory transduction—converting sound vibrations into electrical signals for hearing. While it plays an essential role in auditory perception, it does not directly contribute to the sensations of balance or spatial orientation. Therefore, spatial disorientation would be least affected by its functioning because it does not engage in processing spatial or positional information.

In contrast, the otolith organs and semicircular canals, both part of the vestibular system, are directly involved in balance and spatial orientation. The otolith organs detect linear accelerations and head position relative to gravity, while the semicircular canals are sensitive to rotational movements. The somatosensory system contributes to spatial awareness by providing information about body position through proprioceptive feedback.

By understanding that the organ of Corti is specifically dedicated to hearing rather than spatial awareness, it becomes clear why it is least affected by spatial disorientation scenarios.