Optic and Vestibular Influences on Ear Movements

Abstract

Eye and ear reactions due to posturalchanges, optokinetic, rotatory and postrotatory stimulation have been investigated in 15 rabbits. The animals were restrained but unanaesthetised. Optokinetic, rotatory and post-rotatory stimulation resulted in an eye and ear nystagmus.Both functions were found to be strictly coupled and not separable by narcotics. Recording from single motor units allowed differentiation between tonically and phasically innervated units of the ear muscles. Direction-specific units were found in posture changing experiments.