Single unit responses of rabbit ear-muscles to postural and accelerative stimulation

Abstract

Single units of external ear-muscles were investigated during vestibular and optokinetic stimulation. Response characteristics allowed identification of the semicircular canal and the labyrinth from which each ear-muscle unit received its main input. The responses of most units showed both phasic and tonic components; some were exclusively phasic or tonic. Innervation pattern of phasic units revealed the existence of an ear-nystagmus, which was synchronous and similar to the eye-nystagmus in all respects. Action characteristics of earmuscle units are compared with those of vestibular nuclei neurons and eyemuscle units. The findings indicate an influence of the vestibular and optic systems onto the acoustic system. © 1972 Springer-Verlag.