Responses and anatomical connections of peripheral vestibular neurons innervating otolith organs.
The response patterns of the Scarpa's neurons and lateral vestibular nucleus (LVN) neurons that respond to lateral and antero-posterior tilting were investigated using cats. The following observations were made: 1) The Scarpa's neurons that respond to lateral tilting have directional sensitivity physiologically and may innervate the utricular macula; 2) The LVN neurons that respond to lateral tilting are found mostly in the ventral part of the LVN and also have directional sensitivity. They project toward the spinal cord into the lateral vestibulo-spinal tract.
Department of Otolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Kyoto University, Japan.
J
J
Ito
J
J
Tsuji
Y
Y
Naito
I
I
Honjo
D008267:Acoustic Maculae / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D006735:Horseradish Peroxidase; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D010037:Otolithic Membrane / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000294:innervation*; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000502:physiology*; D013238:Stereotaxic Techniques; D014725:Vestibular Nerve / Q000502:physiology*; D014726:Vestibular Nuclei / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*
D006735:Horseradish Peroxidase