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Otolithic influences on extraocular and intraocular musclesSelective stimulation of utricular gravireceptors leads to gross activation of the bulbar reticular formation where a strong interaction with evoked spino-bulbo-spinal reflex activity occurs. The utricular neurons encountered by microelectrodes in the lateral vestibular nuclei show four types of elicited activity; two of these display an increased firing rate, and two exhibit pronounced inhibitory effects. Application of a stimulus of long duration and constant intensity to the utricle has shown that rapid adaptation of the peripheral receptors is a prominent feature. The effects of selective utricular stimulation upon eye movements, as recorded by the corneoretinal potential method, have been studied in experiments on cats and monkeys and it can be firmly stated that prolonged stimulation of the utricle can evoke strong primary nystagmus, followed by a secondary nystagmus at the cessation of stimulation. The action of utricular stimulation on ocular reflexes has been examined further, with particular attention to evoked pupillary reactions in both cats and monkeys: constriction during the fast phase of the brisk conjugate eye movement, and dilatation during the flow phase.
Document ID
19740010659
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Gernandt, B. E.
(Naval Aerospace Medical Research Lab. Pensacola, FL, United States)
Date Acquired
August 7, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1973
Publication Information
Publication: NASA, Washington Fifth Symp. on the Role of the Vestibular Organs in Space Exploration
Subject Category
Biosciences
Accession Number
74N18772
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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